Eoin Morgan insists England MUST win the 50-over World Cup to go down as one of the best sides ever

Eoin Morgan says England need to win the 50-over World Cup next year – and possibly the T20 equivalent in 2024 – if they want to go down as one of the greatest white ball sides of all time.

Morgan, who retired from international cricket in June, says the team is now ‘100 per cent’ of Jos Buttler following England’s victory at the T20 World Cup in Australia where they became the first men’s side to win both limited-overs trophies at the same time waiting time.

And he believes Buttler has risen in stature as a leader after a troubled summer in which England won just four of their 11 white ball games against India and South Africa.

England won the World T20 last week to become the first team to hold both white-ball titles

Eoin Morgan said England must win the 50-over World Cup next year – and possibly the T20 equivalent in 2024 – if they want to go down as one of the greatest white ball sides of all time

But Morgan argued that their legacy is up for grabs, with a pair of title defenses over the next two years: the one-day World Cup in India, then the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the US.

“Jos said to India before the semi-final that it’s not good to be remembered as a side who were aggressive and threatening and everyone loved to watch but never won anything,” Morgan told Sportsmail.

“He said we needed something tangible. There is the option to do that next year with the 50 overs and go again the next year and possibly again. Because we have the players, the confidence within the group and the formula.

“There’s no reason why you can’t finish on top of the World Cup again. I think Jos will judge himself on that.’

Morgan will once again team up with Buttler, as well as England Test coach Brendon McCullum, when they launch a ‘Festival of Cricket’ at West London’s Gunnersbury Park in July.

But for now, he’s enjoying Buttler’s growth as captain – a process that proved less straightforward than some had imagined after Morgan, the mastermind behind England’s white-ball revolution and 2019 World Cup winner, stepped down.

Morgan (L) was captain as England won the 50-over World Cup 2019, but retired from international duty earlier this year

“There’s a change of voice and messages, and it’s taking time to land,” he said. ‘People are people. They don’t automatically trust someone, even if they’ve been playing with someone for ages – they like things that are familiar, that work and that they trust. But it’s 100% his team. It’s definitely happened now.’

Morgan was in Australia as a commentator, but also acted as a ‘sounding board’ for Buttler as England went from strength to strength after a shock defeat to Ireland. As the ball fumbled around in an unusually humid Australian summer, Morgan admitted that he ‘wondered if the conditions would be right for us’.

But he says Buttler’s evolution was crucial. His strategy was much better at the end of the tournament. It’s about making something out of nothing. Adil Rashid is bowling here, so I’m going to put on a panties, let’s say, or I’ll get a midwicket right now.

He also praised the tactical evolution of Jos Buttler as captain of their World T20 campaign

“It’s about letting the game come to you a little bit and choosing the odds to play your cards. I felt that got better as the tournament progressed. Obviously, his performance with the bat was also good, so he grew in stature and confidence.”

Does Morgan regret calling it quits a day before England unified the white-ball trophies?

“Someone asked me before the semi-finals if I wanted to put the pads on, and I really couldn’t think of anything worse,” he said. ‘I’ve enjoyed every day since I finished.

“I was over the moon when they won. At least I’m prouder to watch them than as a player.’