Eoin Morgan open to idea of England playing Tests and limited overs games on same day to counter coronavirus-affected schedule

PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 01: Eoin Morgan of England smiles ahead of the start of play during the practice match between England and South Africa Invitation XI at Boland Park on February 01, 2020Show more

Eoin Morgan thinks the idea of England playing a Test and limited-overs international on the same day could be feasible given the unprecedented issues facing the sport.

This week the England and Wales Cricket Board announced an emergency funding package worth £61 million (Dh277.4m) designed to attempt to offset the effects of coronavirus on the game.

The season is postponed to at least May 28, and whether any cricket can take place in the UK at all this summer remains to be seen.

In a truncated campaign, the ECB are likely to focus their resources on international cricket, with series planned involving Pakistan, West Indies and Australia, as well as the T20 Blast.

If the pandemic does ease, one possibility that has been floated is having Tests and white-ball cricket on the same day with separate England teams.

Morgan, who is expected to lead England at the T20 World Cup in Australia in October, said the seemingly fanciful idea is possible, given the situation.

“I see every option being viable during this extraordinary time,” Morgan said. “Certainly I've never experienced anything like it and don't think anyone else has.

“If there's an opportunity to play as much cricket as we can, I'd like to think every player would be behind it. I certainly am.”

During his time in lockdown, Morgan has been adjusting to life as a parent after his wife gave birth to their first child last month.

“We've been isolated for a bit longer than anyone else, which is really nice,” Morgan said. “We've been dealt a really good hand when it comes to things that are going on at the moment and have been bunkered away for a while, and haven't been under pressure to go off and play cricket, which has been really nice.

“Obviously times are still uncertain at the moment. People are waiting to see what sort of impact that has had on the virus and if it has slowed things down or stopped the increase in infection.

“Realistically we can't think about playing, when our first game will be, or how many we will play until the situation is downgraded from a pandemic. As ridiculous as it sounds that's how serious it is.”