Out-of-form Morgan rested by Middlesex

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Middlesex star Eoin Morgan has been given two weeks off as he looks to arrest a slump in form.

The 28-year-old will miss Middlesex’s three Royal London One-Day Cup matches this week, against Sussex on Monday, Essex on Wednesday and Nottinghamshire on Thursday.

James Franklin, the club’s County Championship skipper, will assume the one-day captaincy for those games.

Morgan will also be rested for the Championship match against Sussex which starts on Friday, but is expected to return for the One-Day Cup game against Glamorgan on 17 August.

Middlesex said Morgan’s break was necessary given his busy schedule since October, playing in England’s tour of Sri Lanka, the Australian Big Bash League, the World Cup, the IPL, England’s one-day series with New Zealand and the domestic tournaments.

Morgan’s last seven innings

0 v Hampshire (RLODC), 1 Aug
3 v Kent (RLODC), 31 Jul
17 v Lancashire (RLODC), 29 Jul
48 v Surrey (T20), 23 Jul
29 v Essex (T20), 17 Jul
0 & 0 v Somerset (LVCC), 11-14 Jul

His heavy workload certainly seems to have impacted on his form, as he averages just 14.66 in his last 18 innings in all competitions.

And although he hit two 50s and a century in England’s thrilling one-day series victory over New Zealand, Morgan’s highest score for Middlesex this season is just 54.

However, he is set to lead England in the one-day series with Australia in September and Middlesex said the decision to rest Morgan was taken with the ECB management.

The club’s director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “Eoin has been on the go since October and is in need of a rest.

“He has been working his socks off away from matches trying to find the form he wants and it has so far not brought the results he is looking for.

“We believe a week or two away from cricket will allow him to recharge and to play the cricket he wants for the remainder of the season.”

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