England cricket captain Eoin Morgan has said that the team is looking at the upcoming three-match ODI series and any further 50 over engagement as a pathway to test their strengths and team combinations for the consecutive T20 World Cups in two years.
Talking to the media on the eve of the first ODI between India and England, Morgan said, "We see the 50-over format between the two T20 World Cups as a building block for our squad.”
He further made it clear that while doing so, there would be no compromise with the performances of the payers. “We feel we have an extremely strong squad outside of our final eleven regardless of format, so it will present opportunities for guys like that," added the 34-year-old.
The English team also plans to test their bench strength, trying to envisage where their plans with the 2023 World Cup is going, considering that it is just three years away. “In conditions that are a little bit alien to us, like in India, it's nice to get out of your comfort zone and learn more about your team and your players, to make mistakes and learn from them,” said Morgan who has so far played 241 ODI games for the Poms.
Ireland born also stressed the fact that anybody, especially players, who could not get a place in the full-strength team, have got opportunity to prove their worth just ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup in India.
"Given a World Cup is around the corner, playing any cricket is a huge opportunity for guys who have been here on the fringes and not made the selection so far. When you score runs or take wickets away from home there is always a huge incentive to try and push your case forward," he said.
India would engage with England in the three-match ODI series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune with the first match beginning on March 23.