'Cricket is in a reasonable position': England captain Eoin Morgan bullish about future of ODI format

England one-day international captain Eoin Morgan has played down the need for a new world league in the shorter format of the game, adding that the World Cup and Champions Trophy remain appealing enough to attract audiences. At their annual meeting in Edinburgh this month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to discuss a revamp of the ODI format, mooting a new league comprising 13 teams, with the top two finishers playing off in a final. [caption id=“attachment_2847514” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Eoin Morgan. AFP[/caption] However, Morgan said that the current 50-overs format was exciting for viewers, despite being threatened by the emergence of Twenty20 cricket. “I am not sure it needs it (the world league). Cricket is in a reasonable position at the moment,” said the 29-year-old, who also captains England’s Twenty20 side. “The Champions Trophy next year will highlight that it is a great tournament whereby something is on every game. The World Cup goes on a lot longer,” he added. Dublin-born Morgan added that while he was in favour of growing the game in associate nations such as Afghanistan, Ireland and Scotland, scheduling fixtures in an already packed calendar remained a concern. “It is interesting to see how the ICC get those games in ahead of different series when the schedule is already jam-packed but I am all for growing the sport,” he added. “The prospect of playing against associate nations more often and giving them as much cricket as possible is a really good way of growing your sport,” Morgan added. England play the first of five ODIs against Sri Lanka in Nottingham on Tuesday.