New Delhi: Eoin Morgan's decision to remain absent from the Bangladesh tour could be a blessing in disguise for England's wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler. Morgan had earlier said that he is not comfortable leading the ODI side in a 3 macth series in Bangladesh which starts on 7th October.
The English skipper is on the verge of being left out from the tour due to security reasons, although England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security director Reg Dickason has already given green light for the tour.
If the situation remains so, Buttler will find himself leading the English side in Morgan's absence.
Morgan has been given a deadline of EOD saturday to confirm his decision by the England board.
A cafe in Bangladesh was under attack in July 2016, 20 were killed and policemen were injured. This issue has created the buzz around the English players for the tour.
Most of the English players including England's test skipper Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes have said they are willing to travel to Bangladesh despite security concerns.
Buttler, the vice-captain, has led England only once before – in a Twenty20 international against Pakistan.
In their last tour to Bangladesh in 2010, England clinched the series 3-0, but this is all together a different Bangladesh team – which has beaten Pakistan, India and South Africa in series at home over the past two years. This will surely be a test of mental strength of English players in Asian conditions.
England's next ODI series is in India in January before a short trip to the West Indies in March. Which means in case if Morgan gets injured, then England will have a tried tested captain in the name of Jos Buttler ready.
Jonny Bairstow, who played two ODIs against Pakistan following injury to their regular wicket-kepper Buttler, may take Morgan's place in the line-up.
Another player who is unwilling to travel to Bangladesh is Alex Hales. He is not in his best of forms in test matches, scored only one fifty plus score in the recently conclued series against Pakistan.
His absence will mean, his postion will go to another deserving player (Ben Duckett), who seems to be in the form of his life and will mark the end of test career for Hales.
Andrew Strauss, the director of English Cricket said, “The big consequence for not going is you are giving someone else an opportunity to stake a claim.” Athough ECB is not forcing anyone for the tour, they think its their personal decision wheather they want to go or not.
