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Victorian premier Andrews said there will be no crowd cap at the venue, which can hold up to 100,000 spectators

AAP09-Mar-2022Shane Warne will be publicly farewelled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, home to many of his greatest sports moments, later this month.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed the MCG as the venue for a state memorial service on March 30 to honour the Australian legend, who died suddenly due to heart attack in Thailand last week.Related

Shane Warne – 1969 to 2022: full coverage

Shane Warne gave us so much and he had so much more to give

'Dad, this doesn't feel real' – Warne's family's pain and loss

“There’s nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the ‘G,” Andrews tweeted on Wednesday.The MCG was the stage of the legspinner’s famous Ashes hat-trick in 1994 and the 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day in 2006, his final series before he retired from international cricket.Ticket information for the evening event is yet to be released, but the premier said there will be no crowd cap at the venue, which can hold up to 100,000 spectators.”It’ll be a very big event. It will be a celebration of his life as it should be,” Andrews said.Autopsy results showed that Warne died from a suspected heart attack, confirming the death was due to natural causes with no signs of foul play.Deputy director of Samui Hospital Songyot Chayaninporamet said the autopsy showed Warne, 52, died of a “congenital disease”.Following his death on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui, Warne’s body was taken by ferry to the mainland city of Surat Thani on Sunday. It was transported to Bangkok on Monday night and was being prepared to fly home to Melbourne, according to media reports.Warne’s family issued a statement on Monday describing the night of his death on March 4 as the beginning of “a never-ending nightmare”.

In a case of the pot calling the kettle black, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois has blasted Atletico Madrid for complaining about referees after loss.

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Real Madrid win after controversial Alvarez callSimeone complains about the referee's decisionCourtois 'fed up of victimhood' by Atletico MadridFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid have done what they do best in the Champions League: persevere. Los Blancos survived city rivals Atletico Madrid's onslaught at Wanda Metropolitano as the hosts took an early lead via Conor Gallagher and dominated the clash. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side were able to drag the game into a penalty shootout, which Los Blancos won as Julian Alvarez saw his spot kick disallowed for a 'double kick'.

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Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone later criticised the referee's decision to review Alvarez's penalty and claimed that his Argentinian striker did not initiate double contact with the ball during his spot kick. Real Madrid keeper Cortouis has now hypocritically claimed that he is 'fed up' with the Rojiblancos' 'victimhood', just weeks after his side launched a campaign against La Liga referees for not giving decisions in their favour.

Getty Images SportWHAT COURTOIS SAID

Speaking to the media, Courtois said: "I'm always fed up with that victimhood, always crying over things like that. Referees don't want to benefit a team, neither in Spain nor in Europe; they saw it clearly, and they called it that way. They're human, and with technology, they saw it clearly. If you're winning 1-0 in the first minute and don't go for the second, that's the fault of their game.

"In the end, it was a lottery. I felt like it was a double, and I told the referee. It's not easy to see, and it's bad luck for them. Then it was bad luck for me that Correa didn't get it out. We didn't play our best game, but we got through, and that's what matters."

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WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Ancelotti's side have now booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinal, and they will now take on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on April 8. However, before that, they will have to contend with the challenges of La Liga as they remain second on the table despite Barcelona having played one game fewer than them.

Manchester United have been told why signing World Cup winner Paul Pogba for a third time would be “too much of a risk”.

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Frenchman available as a free agentAbout to complete 18-month doping banRed Devils warned off possible approachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

France international Pogba is about to complete an 18-month doping ban. He is available as a free agent after seeing his contract terminated by Serie A giants Juventus. The 31-year-old midfielder has been linked with clubs across the world.

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Many potential suitors will, however, need to be convinced by Pogba’s fitness before putting any terms in place. Ligue 1 side Marseille – who already have ex-United forward Mason Greenwood on their books – have distanced themselves from a deal as a result.

DID YOU KNOW?

There has been talk of Pogba potentially joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, but their 2025 MLS campaign is already underway and they cannot afford to carry any passengers. The same is true for Premier League heavyweights United, in what has been a hugely disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

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Getty ImagesWHAT MIKAEL SILVESTRE SAID

With the Red Devils not in a position to take any risks, even with no transfer fee involved, former United defender Mikael Silvestre has told of his fellow countryman potentially heading back to Old Trafford: “No, I wouldn’t be tempted to sign Paul Pogba on a free transfer if I was Manchester United. I like Paul a lot but I wouldn't because it's going to be expensive and you don't know physically how long it’s going to take him to get up match fitness.

“Even though he’s been out of the game for 18 months, before his ban, he wasn’t really playing that much at Juventus. He’s had a couple of injuries. It's too big of a risk (to sign Pogba). If you were signing him and he was in peak fitness, he had been playing regular football, with a perfect body and mind, then it would be a no brainer, but, after what he's been through as well, it's extremely difficult for him. I wouldn't be in favour of Manchester United bringing him back to the club again.”

Manchester City are set for a transfer battle with clubs around Europe to sign a 15-year-old star who could cost as much as £15 million, according to a recent report.

Man City exit the Champions League

The Blues were unable to overturn the 3-2 deficit from the first leg against Real Madrid to extend their stay in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick ensured Madrid eased into the next round.

Forget Dias: Pep must axe 5/10 Man City star after "hall of shame" display

Manchester City exited the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid last night.

2 ByEthan Lamb Feb 20, 2025

After the game at the Bernabeu Stadium, Pep Guardiola said it is the first time his City side haven’t had a good year in the Champions League.

“After we conceded the goal in the first action we didn’t defend well, it was more and more difficult. We have to accept it, the best team won, so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now we focus on the Premier League.

“It’s a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn’t deserve it, it’s the first year we didn’t make a good Champions League season. We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again. Of course, Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League now, but there are other good teams around.”

Liverpool

H

Tottenham

A

Plymouth

H

Nottingham Forest

A

Brighton

H

Defeat against Real Madrid means City’s hopes of lifting silverware this season now rest on the FA Cup, as any chance of winning the Premier League looks all but over.

Man City set for transfer battle to sign “strong” teenager

As attention slowly turns towards how they can improve for next season, the Blues already have their eyes on a potential signing for the summer. According to Mail Online, Man City are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga.

Monga is only 15 years old but is training with the first team at Leicester under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, and it’s already been reported that he could cost as much as £15 million to sign.

Despite not featuring in the first team yet, City, along with Chelsea, are among the teams who are keen on signing him. But both clubs face serious competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, who have made enquiries about Monga.

Monga cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17, which will be in July 2026. That puts the Foxes in a vulnerable position, as several top European clubs circle to scoop him up without the complications of being under a lengthy contract.

The left-winger was recently named in the Leicester first team squad in the match against Manchester United in the FA Cup, as van Nistelrooy believed the player was “ready” and “physically strong”.

“We feel Jeremy is ready for this and, of course, there’s still a long way to go. We have evaluated his progress and, from last week onwards, he will be part of regular first-team training until the end of the season. Physically, he is very strong and mature already at this age. He deserved this opportunity and we need wingers.

“It’s clear he is a big talent, but we cannot go too quickly with a young boy like that,” van Nistelrooy told ITV Sport.

The England captain’s move up the order is part of a significant reshuffle of the Test batting line-up at the start of the season

Andrew McGlashan17-May-20182:07

England have some Test greats – Root

Joe Root’s move back to No. 3 in the England Test side stems from his belief that the time is right for him to take on more responsibility in a top order that has struggled for consistency for too long.Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, has made no secret of the fact he believes first drop should be Root’s position – because he is England’s best batsman – but has stopped short of forcing the move on the captain who has previously said he prefers No. 4.However, after a winter in which England lost five of their seven Tests against Australia and New Zealand, Root has made the decision to elevate himself in the first side picked under new national selector Ed Smith, following the axing of James Vince.”I think it’s an opportunity for me to take on a bit more responsibility at the top of the order,” Root said. “I’ve had a year in the captaincy now and I feel I’ve gained enough experience to feel comfortable doing that.”It is not a new role for Root, he has played 31 innings at No. 3 and made his highest Test score of 254 against Pakistan in 2016, although his average of 43.96 is considerably lower than his career mark of 52.63 and he moved back down the order at the start of the previous English season when he was named captain. Since then, Gary Ballance, Tom Westley and Vince have failed to nail down the spot.Joe Root on…

Ed Smith “Ed’s very clear how he wants to go about things and we made sure we didn’t leave anything untalked about during that meeting. We left happy with the squad we had for this first Test. He spoke exceptionally well about how he wanted to do things moving forward so I’m very excited about that.”
Dom Bess “I have netted against him. He has trained with us a couple of times last summer. He has performed under pressure when needed to take wickets and win games. For a young man to do that speaks volumes of his character. It is hard on Jack. He made a promising start to his career in New Zealand.”
Moeen Ali “He has played 50 Tests for England and done some wonderful things. Ultimately he sees himself as a batter and he is most useful for us scoring a shedload of runs and being an option as a second spinner. It is a good opportunity to go to Worcester and bang the door down again.”

Root did go back to No. 3 against New Zealand in Auckland – the match in which England were 27 for 9 and bowled out for 58 – but that was purely as a response to needing an extra bowler to cover for Ben Stokes. The next Test in Christchurch saw Vince recalled and Root back at four but this time the move has a feeling of more permanency about it.England also need Root to get back to converting half-centuries into hundreds, something he has done only two of the 14 times he has passed fifty as captain (although he can be excused the retired ill in Sydney). He has lost ground on the contemporaries he is often bracketed with among the best batsmen of his generation – Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Steven Smith – although Smith now finds himself indisposed in that tussle for at least a year.”For me it was getting used to the role of captain and making sure I could separate the two and make sure my full focus was on my batting when it came around,” Root said at the launch of England’s 2018 New Balance kit. “I feel that I’m able to do that now and will go out to try to set the tone and score as many runs as I can from that position.”I did it [No. 3] for one game in New Zealand and it didn’t work out there but this is a great opportunity to do it at home and it’s a great opportunity moving forward so I’m really excited. Ultimately nothing will change about the way I go about my batting. I will look to have that hunger and desire to make really big runs.”Root’s move is part of a larger reshuffle of England’s top order as they attempt to solve the batting issues which were on display throughout the winter: the seven Tests brought just four centuries and one of those was from Jonny Bairstow at No. 7 in Christchurch. Alongside Root’s move to three, Bairstow will take the No. 5 slot while retaining the keeping gloves.Joe Root gets to a fifty every 2.4 innings, but goes on to make a big one only one out of four times•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”It’s an opportunity to get Jonny batting at five or six and on the back of this winter he’s proven he’s a consistent performer and deserves an opportunity to do it at the top of the order as well as the back end of an innings,” Root said. “I think it gives us a real opportunity to put a lot of pressure on sides especially if we’re in a position of strength and can get our best batters of the last couple of years in the top six.”The role of lower-order enforcer or recovery artist – depending on the match situation – has gone to Jos Buttler, one of the eye-catching selections in Smith’s first squad, who has been recalled as a batsman-only after 18 months out of the Test side and despite playing scant red-ball cricket over that time. Root was excited about what Buttler could bring, but admitted it could take time for the new batting order to knit together.”He has done some very special things in one-day and T20 cricket and won games when he has been under pressure. Now there is an opportunity for him to do that in Test cricket. I can see him putting a lot of bums on seats. That is very exciting for me. He can change a game in half an hour with the bat.”It is an exciting time for him. It is really important he does not put too much pressure on himself. It is about expressing himself and finding that consistency that he wants and play those innings that can put us in a strong position. It is exciting but it might be something that takes a bit of time to come right.”

Spinning allrounder omitted from day-night Test squad, but BJ Watling set to return as first-choice keeper

Andrew McGlashan in Hamilton13-Mar-2018New Zealand allrounder Mitchell Santner faces up to nine months on the sidelines after the right knee problem he has carried for part of this season worsened to require surgery. It means he will miss the Test series against England, the IPL with Chennai Super Kings and his county stint with Derbyshire.However, New Zealand were able to bring back wicketkeeper BJ Watling for the England series after a hip injury kept him out of the Tests against West Indies in December. Todd Astle, the legspinner, is the one frontline spinner included in a 12-man squad while Ross Taylor is also expected to be fit after the thigh injury which kept him out of the deciding ODI in Christchurch following his unbeaten 181 to level the series in Dunedin.Santner produced career-best form with the bat in the one-day series but has been troubled by his knee issue for much of the season. He was forced to sit out the record-breaking T20 against Australia at Eden Park in February and scans showed a bone defect.At times during the one-day series, especially on practice days, he has looked in discomfort but managed to play all five games – although he bowled just two overs in Wellington – and scored 216 runs including two half-centuries at No. 6, twice bettering his previous high scores. Santner had been included for the two-day pink-ball match against England in Hamilton starting on Wednesday before the seriousness of the injury became clear.”On a personal level everyone feels for Mitchell. He’s a popular guy in the changing room and he’s well respected for the work he puts in for the side,” coach Mike Hesson said. “Mitchell is a key player in all three formats for us, so we’ll certainly miss him in the upcoming series. It’s important though that he gets this fixed and we have him back for what is a big next 18 months for us.”In the short term, Santner’s absence will mean rejgging New Zealand’s middle order. Against West Indies earlier this season he was batting at No. 6 although Watling’s return after a hip problem offers the option of him filling that position. Colin de Grandhomme could then follow at No. 7, where he scored 185 runs in three innings in the West Indies series, including a maiden century off 71 balls. Also, though Santner’s Test record with the ball of 34 wickets at 37.05 does not leap out, his economy rate of 2.79 has offered Kane Williamson important control.Astle’s inclusion ahead of Ish Sodhi, who impressed during the one-day series, highlights the loss of Santner’s batting and the impact on New Zealand’s balance. Astle, who has played two Tests in four years, is a far better batsman than Sodhi and could slot in at No. 8 followed by the three frontline quicks – Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner – although there remains the outside chance New Zealand could go pace-heavy for the pink-ball Test at Eden Park and include Matt Henry.Watling’s return had been telegraphed by coach Mike Hesson earlier in the week when he said he was showing no signs of pain having regained the gloves for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield. He was ruled out of the West Indies series due to a hip complaint that, while not stopping him batting, made wicketkeeping very painful.His replacement, Tom Blundell, made a century on debut in Wellington but Watling is a highly-valued member of the squad and averages 38.05 from 52 Tests.”BJ is a proven performer at Test level for us and brings a lot to the group both on and off the field,” selector Gavin Larsen said. “We’ve monitored BJ’s progress over the past few months and it’s great to see him back with the gloves for Northern Districts. Tom Blundell did a great job in BJ’s absence and we’ll keep working with him going forward.”The rest of the squad is as expected with Jeet Ravel opening alongside Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls taking the No. 5 spot. Taylor had initially been pencilled in for the second two-day game against England at Seddon Park, but after the one-day series Hesson said he would not be risked ahead of the Test series.The players not involved in the New Zealand XIs over the next four days in Hamilton will join a training camp in Mount Maunganui ahead of the day-night Test at Eden Park which starts on March 22.New Zealand squad Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

Arsenal are set to make their long-awaited return to Champions League football on Wednesday, bringing up huge questions about who Mikel Arteta might choose to start in this all-important fixture…

Who could start for Arsenal in the Champions League?

Having suffered a stuttering start to their Premier League campaign, despite remaining unbeaten with four victories from their opening five games, the weekend's win over Everton ended a torrid run of form at Goodison Park as the Gunners overcame huge obstacles to surpass their stubborn hosts.

However, the clash was largely marred by Gabriel Martinelli's 24th-minute injury, who pulled up with a hamstring qualm just after seeing his neat finish chalked off for a marginal offside. Arteta would claim: "He felt something in his hamstring and we need to do some further tests to assess if there is any big damage or not but he will be out for tomorrow’s game, that’s for sure."

Such a huge blow throws that left-wing spot completely up for grabs, with a number of stars likely set to have their eye on earning a start in this massive clash.

Emile Smith Rowe will be one vying for the place, whilst there is every chance that Gabriel Jesus could be pushed out wide to allow Eddie Nketiah to retain his striker spot.

However, the far more viable option would be to employ their match-winner from that aforementioned match, where Leandro Trossard made himself the star as he came off the bench to finish off a fine team move.

How good is Leandro Trossard?

When the Belgian was chosen to replace Martinelli after his injury, it immediately showcased where he stood in the pecking order. So, to see him score the winner, that place was arguably solidified.

From a short corner, which the north London outfit had been trying all game on Merseyside, a few intricate passes forged the 28-year-old an inch of space, where he struck a stunning left-footed effort in off the far post.

Such a moment of magic should come as no surprise to anyone though, as despite not quite lacking the dynamism and speed of the man he replaced, he remains the "magician" that writer Hayley McGoldrick branded him.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion wizard would prove that throughout last term too, as he shared his outstanding talents across two Premier League clubs without slowing down.

Moving in January, he would score eight and assist a further 13 in the league alone, with his instant impact at the Emirates nearly upholding their title charge that would ultimately fall short.

The £90k-per-week ace was further showcased as a true talent with his underlying figures, as he recorded a further 1.3 key passes and 1.5 shots per game, via Sofascore.

Given they are likely to come up against another team looking to frustrate them again tonight, such technical prowess could actually prove more impactful than Martinelli might have done.

After all, when compared to other wingers across Europe, the 28-cap creator ranks in the top 1% for assists per 90.

Trossard has more than enough quality to unlock most defences, having come up at key moments already with big goals. The hope will be that he can score arguably the biggest of his career to earn Arsenal an emphatic win on their triumphant Champions League return.

Cricket South Africa has issued an apology to Cricket Australia after two CSA officials were photographed posing with fans, who were wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks at St George’s Park

Firdose Moonda10-Mar-20180:49

Start of Warner-de Kock clash revealed

Cricket South Africa has issued an apology to Cricket Australia after two CSA officials were photographed posing with fans, who were wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks at St George’s Park.Clive Eksteen, a former left-arm spinner and CSA’s head of commercial, and Altaaf Kazi, CSA’s head of media and communication, posed for a picture with three fans wearing masks on the first day of the Test. The photo was shared on social media and then picked up by the , who wrote that the Australian team were “outraged.” CSA said it would follow its “normal internal processes,” with regards to Eksteen and Kazi, which will likely begin with an internal investigation. They have been asked to return to Johannesburg, where CSA’s head office is located.”On behalf of CSA I extend my sincere apologies to the Board of Cricket Australia, its officials, team management, players and their families,” CSA president, Chris Nenzani said.”Cricket Australia spoke to Cricket South Africa officials yesterday to express disappointment with this matter and events that unfolded off-field Friday at St George’s Park,” a CA spokesman said. “CA appreciates the swift response, including the sincere apology from CSA, and the seriousness with which the matter is being treated.”The Williams’ masks were brought into the ground as an attempt to ridicule David Warner, who was involved in a stairwell spat with Quinton de Kock during the first Test in Durban. Warner was fined 75% of his match fee and earned three demerit points for the incident, later claiming de Kock had made a “vile and disgusting comment,” about his wife Candice. De Kock admitted to saying something in a hearing that took place on Wednesday and was fined 25% of his match fee with one demerit point added to his record.Candice had an encounter with Williams 11 years ago, before she had met Warner and South African fans hoped to use that to antagonise the opening batsman. The day before the Port Elizabeth Test, social media posts, including one by a reporter (who is not working on this game) with the host broadcaster shared photographs of fans making Williams’ masks and of a songbook with lyrics containing vulgar and derogatory language. While the songs were not heard at St George’s Park, the masks were seen but only after CSA officials had to intervene to allow mask-wearing fans into the stadium.Initially, stadium security had refused to allow them in because of what Kazi called a “misunderstanding,” though it is not clear on whose instructions the security were initially acting. Kazi and Eksteen were then contacted by the fans and met them at the gates, where it was decided that they would be allowed in. According to Kazi, the group of fans then asked for a photo with him and Eksteen and the pair obliged.”We found out because (the spectators) contacted us and we then went to security and got them in. They said ‘let’s take a photo with you guys,” Kazi told .Speaking to ESPNcricinfo shortly after the story broke last night, Kazi admitted it was “one of the worst judgment calls I have made,” and expressed regret over his actions.Meanwhile, CSA had reiterated that freedom of expression will be respected, within the limits of their own guidelines for spectator behaviour, which does not tolerate any racism, sexism or derogatory comments. A statement read: “While CSA respects the rights of its fans to represent their own points of view, CSA does not associate itself with these actions and urges all Protea supporters from refraining from being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters.”

Former Spurs striker turned pundit Darren Bent has made a "bonkers" James Maddison claim at Tottenham Hotspur.

Who have Tottenham signed this summer?

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy moved to bring in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson over the summer.

The north Londoners sealed seven major signings in total; bolstering Postecoglou's squad to great. Meanwhile, star striker Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott, Dane Scarlett, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele all moved in the opposite direction.

It was quite the busy transfer window for Tottenham before it shut on September 1, with Postecoglou orchestrating a major overhaul to reshape the Spurs squad in his own image.

So far, the Australian has been totally justified in his decisions off the field. Spurs currently sit second in the Premier League table, just behind last season's imperious treble-winning Man City.

The Lilywhites, during that time, have won three out of their opening four league matches; scoring nine goals in the process with brilliant victories over Man United, Bournemouth and Burnley.

Maddison, after joining from Leicester City in late June, has been one of the shining lights in this exciting, new-look Postecoglou side at Tottenham.

The England international has dazzled with two goals and two assists already in a Spurs shirt; putting in Man of the Match performances whilst truly justifying his £45 million price tag.

Maddison, speaking in a recent sit-down with The Telegraph, explained his love for the beautiful game and how he is overjoyed at being a Tottenham player.

"When you start playing football as a kid, you don’t play for anything,” said Maddison.

“There’s no politics, nothing like that. You play because you love playing football and you do the things you love and you become the player you become because of what you do and what you’re good at.

"And that will never change for me. That’s non-negotiable. That’s how I play. I’m never going to change and that’s why my journey has gone like this and I’m happy to have ended up at Tottenham.”

What's been said about James Maddison?

The former Norwich City star and Spurs are seemingly a match made in heaven; as the club have long missed a serial creative playmaker in the mould of Christian Eriksen.

Pundit Bent, speaking live on talkSPORT this week, has heaped praise on Maddison for his start to life under Postecoglou.

The former Aston Villa striker has also made a "bonkers" claim involving the 26-year-old, amid his imperious run f form in the top flight.

As transcribed by TBR, when asked if Maddison is now worth £90 million, Bent said: “Easy, because he’s been that good, that impressive."

He also called the £45m fee paid for his services an absolute "bargain".

“For James Maddison, I think it’s a bargain, even at £45 million. It sounds bonkers, it’s a bargain."

If the Englishman can maintain these superb run of performances through the 2023/2024 season, it's safe to say chairman Daniel Levy has pulled off a masterstroke.

Eoin Morgan thinks cricket’s formats are diverging at such a route that England could return to split coaches when Trevor Bayliss steps down after the 2019 World Cup

Daniel Brettig13-Jan-2018England’s captain Eoin Morgan believes cricket’s three formats are diverging at a rate that will soon make it impossible to have a single national coach across Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 matches.The 50-over series beginning in Melbourne on Sunday begins a run up to the World Cup after which both England’s coach Trevor Bayliss and his Australian counterpart Darren Lehmann will depart their roles, with neither man willing to extend their contract any further.England had previously employed different limited overs and Test match coaches when Andy Flower delegated the shorter forms to Ashley Giles before returning to a more conventional model, but Morgan believes that the days of one coach fitting all roles are running short.”I think down the line there will be,” Morgan said when asked whether he saw a need for different coaches for each format. “Cricket is going to change even more in the next 10 years than it has in the previous 10 years. I’d say, if anything, the formats are getting further and further apart. So I’m open to it.”The success or otherwise of Morgan’s team at next year’s World Cup will be the ultimate judgment upon the tack taken by the ECB in 2015, when they removed Peter Moores in favour of employing Bayliss with a clear mandate to improve England’s limited overs cricket. Through the naturally aggressive instincts of Morgan and also the wise counsel of the assistant coach Paul Farbrace, England had already been moving in that direction by the time Bayliss arrived, and the progress has continued since.Sitting down at the MCG, where England had been thrashed by Australia in the opening match of the 2015 World Cup on the way to early elimination, Morgan said the struggles of that tournament had been a major catalyst for change, along with the knowledge that the next event would be held at home.”It had quite a significant role, really,” Morgan said. “After that, a line was drawn in the sand and we were given clear directives that the goal was the 2019 World Cup. The gap between the England team in that World Cup and where we need to be in 2019, I don’t think anybody knows. But to bridge the gap between where we were at in that World Cup and, say, being in the semi-final or the final was the first port of the call. Bridging that gap came quicker that we ever thought it would.”We got a huge amount of confidence from the selectors. Andrew Strauss, our director of cricket, gave absolute clarity in what we wanted. I think, as a captain and backroom staff, we certainly thrived on that. It’s not often you get free rein and ambition to be as adventurous as you like.”Bayliss has been the subject of plenty of criticism following England’s Ashes defeat, but it has been clear throughout his tenure that apart from home success, his remit had been largely directed at the 50 and 20-over formats. As Jos Buttler put it to the BBC: “Trevor’s been fantastic for us. He creates a brilliant atmosphere around the team which allows people to go out and play in that free fashion. He doesn’t miss a beat, he sees everything that goes on and his great strength is he’s a great man manager. He really looks after people and gives them confidence. Any coach who can make the player feel 10 feet tall when they go out is fantastic.”Eoin Morgan leaps into a stroke•Getty ImagesThat confidence sat underneath Morgan’s response when queried on an Australian side his men were able to beat comfortably when they last met during the 2017 Champions Trophy, albeit with Ben Stokes as a key part of the outcome. “To be honest I haven’t looked at them a great deal, not until the last month or so,” Morgan said.”I know they had a difficult run with weather in the Champions Trophy, they didn’t even complete a full game against us, and certainly that was a struggle for them. But they’re a very strong team, certainly at home. They don’t have as many changes as we have from Tests to one-dayers so they’ll probably be up on the confidence of the Ashes win.”One thing that limited overs teams need less time to worry about is the prospect of conditions overly favouring the hosts. ODI pitches are seldom too far divergent from solid batting surfaces with fast outfields, even if heavy rain in Melbourne might ensure the need to run hard on the expanses of the MCG.Morgan is confident that England can adapt. “We’ve certainly tempered our aggression with some smart cricket,” he said. “Given the grounds that we’ve played at around the world, we’ve been able to do that. More importantly, the wickets that we’ve played on, we’ve adapted to them. Par for the course for this series will be bringing out the positive aggressive style with the bat with adapting to the wicket.”