Cook officially dumped as ODI captain

UPDATE

The England & Wales Cricket Board have confirmed Eoin Morgan will replace Alastair Cook as captain of England's one-day international team, with immediate effect.

England selectors met on Friday to pick a 15-man squad for the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series and ICC Cricket World Cup, with Cook missing out on selection. He will continue as Test captain.

“We spent a considerable time yesterday discussing the make up of a squad that gives England the best possible chance of success at the World Cup which begins in less than two months," National Selector James Whitaker said.

"Having reviewed the recent series against Sri Lanka we came to the conclusion that there was no place for Alastair Cook amongst our strongest 15 one-day players and therefore recommended Eoin Morgan be appointed One-Day captain.”

After England's series-ending defeat in Colombo on Tuesday, Cook, with no one-day century since June 2012, conceded he could have no complaints if he lost the one-day captaincy.

“I am gutted to be left out of the World Cup squad and it is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment," Cook said after he was dumped.

"That said I wish Peter, Eoin and the lads all the best for the World Cup. I would also like to thank all the players and fans who have supported me during my time as One-Day captain.”

EARLIER

Alastair Cook is set to be dismissed as captain of England's one-day team ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup after the opener's miserable run of form.

Cook has scored just one half-century in his past 22 one-day innings for England and he has paid the price for failing to stop the rot during his country's recent 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka, according to reports on Friday.

England's selectors are reported to have decided to axe Cook as skipper at a meeting on Friday, with the Daily Telegraph saying Eoin Morgan is set to lead the side for the tri-series in Australia after Christmas and then the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.

After England's series-ending defeat in Colombo on Tuesday, Cook, with no one-day century since June 2012, conceded he could have no complaints if he lost the one-day captaincy.

But the decision to remove him from the role with the World Cup looming is still a major reversal by Paul Downton, the managing director of England cricket, and head coach Peter Moores, who had given Cook absolute backing this year.

Cook is expected to be able to continue captaining the Test side and will focus on England's bid to regain the Ashes against Australia next year.

Yorkshire's Gary Ballance is believed to be the leading contender to replace Cook in England's 15-man World Cup squad, which will be announced on Saturday, with Moeen Ali and Alex Hales a potential new opening partnership.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had yet to confirm the decision ahead of that squad announcement, but several former England captains were quick to voice their support for the move.

"I think it'll be a relief to Alastair," Mike Atherton, who led England in the 1990s, told Sky Sports News.

"He can now concentrate on batting in Test matches at the top of the order. I don't think Eoin Morgan is going to be in the Test side so he can concentrate on the one-day side of things."

Nasser Hussain, who captained England at the 2003 World Cup, agreed with Atherton, but praised Cook for refusing to quit as captain during his miserable run.

"It's not ideal but I do think it's the right decision, first and foremost for Alastair," he said.

However, Michael Vaughan, who took charge of England in the 2007 World Cup, does not believe removing Cook significantly increases the team's hopes of victory in next year's tournament.

"Alastair Cook should have gone a while ago as England's one-day captain," he said in his UK Daily Telegraph column.

"Now the decision has been made, it is time to look forward.

"But let's not kid ourselves. There are still problems in the team and removing Cook will not suddenly turn them into World Cup winners."

Kevin Pietersen, the controversial batsman axed by England earlier this year due to his troubled relationship with his teammates, welcomed Morgan's impending appointment and said on Twitter that he would relish a recall under the new regime.