Liam Plunkett expresses disappointment over white-ball contract snub

The 34-year-old pacer has now been considered past his prime by the ECB.

Liam Plunkett | Getty

Speedster Liam Plunkett has expressed disappointment after being overlooked in England’s list of centrally contracted white-ball players for 2019-20.

Plunkett recently played an instrumental role in England’s first-ever ODI World Cup triumph. He claimed 11 wickets from 7 games in the quadrennial event, including 3/42 in the all-important final against New Zealand at Lord’s.

However, the 34-year-old pacer has now been considered past his prime by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“Plunkett has been one of Eoin Morgan’s go-to men. But moving into a new cycle of four years, before the 50-over World Cup and two T20 World Cups, he probably didn’t fit those future needs for the next 12-24 months, which is tough. He’s one of the most physical men we have in our line-ups. He’s incredibly fit and strong, but in terms of the numbers, I guess his paces have been down a little bit for some time,” ECB’s Director of Cricket Ashley Giles said on Friday (September 20) while explaining the decision to leave out Plunkett.

Read Also: England announces list of contracts for 2019/20 season 

“His best came in that role in the World Cup, and the World Cup final. He should be really proud of that achievement, and what they did as a team, but everything moves on for all of us,” he added.

Taking to Twitter, Plunkett wrote: “Disappointed is an understatement”.

Nonetheless, he was happy for all his teammates who secured contract.

“I am really happy for all the boys who got contracted. I am not having a pop at anyone just disappointed I didn’t get one,” he further tweeted.

Giles also clarified whether this is the end of the road for Plunkett.

“We’re not saying that the door’s closed, but just in terms of the core of that team, which is where those contracts are offered, he probably just misses out. It’s difficult to be the person who puts that pen through the name, but that’s cricket,” ECB’s Director of Cricket said.

(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 21 Sep, 2019

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