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Morgan issues warning over wounded Aussies

Eoin Morgan says England are wary of a determined Australia team eager to put the ball-tampering affair behind them in the impending ODI tour.

England captain Eion Morgan.
England captain Eoin Morgan admits he is wary of the wounded Australians. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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England captain Eoin Morgan has warned his side to beware Australia's determination to move past the recriminations of the ball-tampering affair in March's Test series with South Africa that stunned world cricket.

Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were hit with year-long bans, while batsman Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month sanction.

Darren Lehman was cleared by Cricket Australia of any involvement but he stepped down from his coaching role in a wide-ranging fall-out from the scandal.

But now Morgan has backed the Aussies to put all that in the past - and has told his England squad to be wary of the wounded visitors when they arrive for the impending one-day tour which serves as a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup in the UK.

"I think they will be ready, and with one eye on the World Cup they will come with a strong performance," said Morgan, speaking at an event in London to mark one year until the start of Cricket World Cup 2019.

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"What's happened to them in the last six months has the potential to galvanise a young, hungry side.

"So we're going to have bring our A game to this series. And again it's going to be a good challenge for us moving forward."

The ODI series starts on June 13, while Australia's first game is a warm-up fixture against Sussex next Thursday.

And Morgan admits he is relieved he will be ready to skipper his country in the upcoming ODI series, despite a broken finger.

Morgan has had to pull out of captaining the World XI in Thursday's Twenty20 clash with the West Indies at Lord's - but will be ready when England start their ODI schedule against Scotland on June 10.

He was named in a 13-man squad to face Scotland and also a 14-strong line-up for the five clashes with Australia, which starts at The Oval in London on June 13.

"I have a small fracture in the ring finger of my right hand," Morgan said.

"I got hit in a game on Sunday at Somerset.

"It's disappointing but it's not the worst news that could have come through.

"It's a week to 10 days to get the swelling down in the finger and then protect it as we go on.

"So it's a relief that I'll be ready, yes.

"We never thought it was that bad a break, it didn't dislocate, which is always a good sign.

"I'm excited about playing against Australia and India this summer, and I wouldn't want to miss it."

Sam Billings will deputise for wicketkeeper Jos Buttler for the Scotland clash, with seamer Tom Curran bolstering the ranks for the Australia series.

England squad v Scotland

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Squad v Australia

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.


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