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Eoin Morgan backs more England T20 matches if ICC cull Champions Trophy

Morgan shares a joke with South Africa skipper AB de Villiers: Getty Images
Morgan shares a joke with South Africa skipper AB de Villiers: Getty Images

Eoin Morgan wants England to play more Twenty20 matches if the ICC schedule more global tournaments for cricket’s shortest form.

ICC chief executive David Richardson confirmed this week that the world governing body are considering abandoning the 50-over Champions Trophy – which Pakistan won by defeating India in last Sunday’s final at The Kia Oval – to add extra Twenty20 tournaments to the calendar.

In the current programme, the next World Twenty20 takes place in Australia in 2020, with the Champions Trophy in India the following year. But Richardson said: "Whether we keep the Champions Trophy in 2021, or move to two World T20s, needs to be discussed and settled.

"Having two World T20s in a four-year cycle gives us an opportunity to globalise the game to a great extent, open the tournament to more teams - 16 or maybe even in a longer term to 20 teams."

England’s nine-wicket thrashing of South Africa at Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Wednesday was their first Twenty20 international since February 1.

They have three more this summer, two against South Africa – at Taunton tomorrow/on Friday and Cardiff on Sunday – followed by a one-off T20 against West Indies at Durham in September. If the ICC’s plans change, Morgan argues that England would need better preparation.

The England limited-overs captain said: "I quite enjoy the Champions Trophy. I think it is a great tournament. If they do introduce more World Twenty20 tournaments, we would probably have to play more series against top teams.

"Building up to a World Twenty20 is difficult because the games are spread out and there are not many of them.

"You are looking to build your squad for major tournaments so if they bring in World Twenty20s more often, I would like to see more T20 matches throughout our summer, rather than two or three after a five-match one-day series."