Buttler: No England divide over Morgan and Hales

Jos Buttler does not believe Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales deciding to sit out England’s tour to Bangladesh in October will cause a lasting division in the team.

Despite a recent terror attack in the nation’s capital of Dhaka, the England and Wales Cricket Board in August announced the matches would go ahead as planned.

Limited-overs captain Morgan opted against joining his team-mates for the trip, Alex Hales also deciding not to travel.

Buttler, who will skipper the team in Morgan’s stead, does not envisage any long-term changes in the team’s dynamic.

“This definitely won’t divide the dressing room. We’re a tight-knit group of guys and we will stay that way,” said Buttler.

“Everyone’s very good friends in that set-up and we want it to remain that way; we won’t let anything like this come between any of us in the side.

“We’re all working towards the Champions Trophy here next summer and the World Cup a couple of years later. The players in that dressing room want to be winning that trophy together. That’s everyone’s aim.

“Eoin Morgan remains captain of the ODI side. I fully expect he will take up the reins again when he is available. He’s very much the captain of the team. We’ve made fantastic progress under him.

“As a group we spoke about how everyone will respect whatever individual decision is made and we’ll back everyone 100 per cent.”

However, Morgan’s decision has drawn criticism from former England captains Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain, though the latter admitted he understood the decision.

Buttler felt some comments directed at the Irishman have been “unfair” and hopes the team can continue developing under his stewardship after the tour.

“There has been some unfair criticism. Cricket is not the be all and end all. He has made the decision that is right for him and it is not one he has taken lightly. He has come to one which he is comfortable with and people should respect that,” he continued.

“Eoin has been one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, for the turnaround in fortunes. The style of cricket he’s got the side playing is something we want to continue and keep playing that brand of cricket.

“He has done a fantastic job over the last 18 months. I’m definitely happy to relinquish the captaincy once he comes back.”