Paul Farbrace, the interim England head coach, sees no reason why Eoin Morgan cannot make a return to Test cricket after rediscovering his best form in the thrilling one-day series win against New Zealand.
Morgan, who has been a limited overs specialist in international cricket since winning the last of his 16 Test caps in 2012, endured a poor World Cup as both captain and batsman at the start of the year, but led with distinction in the 3-2 victory over Brendon McCullum’s tourists, scoring 322 runs in four innings before a first-ball duck in the run chase at Chester-le-street.
Asked whether the 28-year-old could be considered for a recall in whites following the three-wicket win that sealed the series, Farbrace replied: “Absolutely. It’s a way of getting into the Test side by playing international cricket.
“The reason we’ve played Ben Stokes in this one-day side is because the more he plays international cricket, the better for him – and that applies to everybody. They should all want to play Test cricket, and if they keep putting in performances they’ll be getting very close to it. There’s absolutely no reason why Morgan can’t play Test cricket. He’s a fantastic player and played brilliantly through this series.
“Morgs has been outstanding – on and off the field – in everything that he’s done.”
New Zealand’s tour-ending Twenty20 international at Old Trafford on Tuesday will be Farbrace’s final match in charge before he returns to the role of assistant under the incoming Trevor Bayliss. The team’s first interaction with their new Australian head coach will come on a four-day camp in Spain next weekend ahead of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on 8 July.
Missing from the trip – which will not feature net sessions – is the Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who will instead return to county cricket for next weekend’s fixture at Durham. Having seen the 27-year-old bowl well for figures of two for 45 on Saturday, Farbrace insists the door remains open for a Test debut.
“There was no restriction on numbers [for the trip to Spain] but the thought was that if there was a four-day game for Yorkshire for Rashid to play, it would be a good idea for him to play in case he’s needed then in the Ashes,” he said. “It’s important that Adil keeps playing four-day cricket so that he’s ready to play. Not going to Spain doesn’t rule him out of playing Test cricket this summer – that’s 100% certain.”
