Eoin Morgan believes that a re-emerging England have a group of close to 20 players who are capable of competing realistically for slots in the one-day squad, with the five-match series against Australia that begins at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday.
Reece Topley and James Vince will return to their counties from the 20-over group while James Taylor, Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood will join England today as part of the 14 named for the 50-over matches.
Morgan, who has put the dreadful World Cup campaign behind him as captain and batsman, is happy that players on the fringes can give the set-up the depth it will need given the volume of cricket ahead.
“We have an exciting group of young cricketers even outside those we selected for the one-day series,” Morgan said. “We probably have another four or five guys who are pushing for places and earmarked for the future.
“It is a very exciting time for us and it is important we recognise that this is just the start of something and we continue to play in the fashion we do.”
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As well as players such as Jamie and Craig Overton, Topley, Vince and Jonny Bairstow, England have the option of recalling Stuart Broad, who has been told that Test cricket is his priority. Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket and an England selector, has said that he would be “very surprised” if Broad does not make another one-day international appearance.