'It could have been handled a bit differently' - Liam Plunkett disappointed over England snub

England finally achieved their dream of winning a 50-over World Cup when they defeated New Zealand, albeit in a controversial manner, after the final as well as the succeeding Super Over ended in a tie. While England’s surge as a swashbuckling batting-unit since the abysmal 2015 World Cup campaign, has been well documented, the contribution of the likes of Liam Plunkett that led to them defending the totals, as they did, has often been overlooked.

Plunkett, who was one of the spearheads of the English white-ball bowling unit between 2016-2019, had a great World Cup campaign where he consistently chipped in with wickets in the middle overs. Six months on from that epic day when the dream of lifting the World Cup was finally realized, Liam Plunkett is facing the prospect of never playing for his country again.

He last played for England in the World Cup final. Since then, he has lost his white-ball contract and then he was dropped for the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand. Now he has lost his place from the ODI set-up, which means Plunkett won’t be spearheading the English attack in their first ODI series since in World Cup when Eoin Morgan’s side takes on South Africa in February.

“I got a phone call for the T20 ­series, and then I think I found out on social media about the South ­Africa ODI series,” he said as quoted by the Telegraph. He has had contact with Eoin Morgan but Plunkett admitted that the conversation left him miffed. He said, “I’ve not heard too much from him, so I’ve told him how I felt a little bit about it. I’ve just played the World Cup and I’ve been one of the best bowlers in that team in the World Cup and the years before, so all of a sudden it’s like ‘well all right, you’re done’.

Determined Plunkett keen to train hard ahead of the upcoming season

Being left out of the side despite the good performances can be a bitter pill to swallow, something that Plunkett admitted, while also wishing good luck to his English teammates. However, he still feels that his axing could’ve handled in a better way. Though Liam Plunkett is still determined and is set to train hard ahead of the upcoming season.

“I felt like it could have been handled a little bit different, but it is what it is and that’s what happens, isn’t it? Good luck to the lads who have come in. There’s not really much I can say about it really. I’m disappointed because I still feel like I’m good enough, but it is what it is.

“It is a tough pill to swallow. So it’s disappointing. I’ve told them I felt like I’m still as fit as ever. Right now I’m lighter than I’ve been for a long time. So disappointed. But I’ll dust myself off, train hard, come back and try to help win trophies with Surrey,” he further added.

Free Hit – 20 Questions with CricTracker