'I can’t see it, honestly' - Mark Butcher on Eoin Morgan featuring in the 2023 World Cup

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has addressed Eoin Morgan's future as a captain and batter in England's limited overs set-up, claiming that the latter might miss the flight to India for the next ODI World Cup on current form.

While Morgan seemed confident about returning to form before the Netherlands series, his consecutive ducks in the first two fixtures before getting ruled out due to an injury have cast further doubts over his place in the side.

"I still feel like I contribute and still feel like I can contribute to a World Cup win," said Morgan before the three-match ODI series versus the Netherlands.

Butcher believes Morgan should not be guaranteed a place in the side just because of his leadership abilities. He further emphasised how Liam Livingstone could be forced to sit out if Morgan somehow makes it to the mega event in India.

"I can't see it, honestly, because Liam Livingstone needs to be in that side. And the strength of striking power around that squad just means there just isn't room for somebody just to be captain, doesn't matter how good that captain is," Butcher said as quoted on the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast.

"I would be staggered if he tries to make it through to the 2023 World Cup. That's not because of two ducks against the Netherlands. Frankly, who cares? That doesn't matter. I was surprised that he didn't announce that he was done with it after they won in 2019. We're now three years after that and he's still going," he added.

However, the 49-year-old commentator asserted that the Dublin-born could feature in the ODI magnum opus if he stages an unlikely comeback. 

He said: "Look, he'll probably prove us all wrong, come back, great fitness and have an extraordinary run of form and lead the side in the next one, but at the moment, that looks like a wild fantasy, doesn't it?".