Morgan: "Alex has clearly demonstrated a lack of respect for these values, and there has been a complete breakdown in trust between the team and Alex."
Thursday 2 May 2019 19:13, UK
Eoin Morgan said he and the six most senior players in the England ODI side felt it was best that Alex Hales was deselected from the World Cup squad after his reported 21-day ban for using recreational drugs.
Morgan, speaking ahead of England's one-day international against Ireland on Friday - live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am - said Hales had "demonstrated a lack of respect" for the team's values, and that there had been "a complete breakdown in trust".
"I found out the day it broke on the news, like everybody else," Morgan told Sky Sports. "That obviously led me to start thinking about the impact it might have on the team and the culture.
"From there, I've spoken to the coach at depth and all of the rest of senior players - I actually called a meeting with those players to discuss how this would affect the team and the team culture.
"We've been working extremely hard over the last 18 months to try and build that team culture, establish values that we could adhere to. But with this, Alex has clearly demonstrated a lack of respect for these values, and there has been a complete breakdown in trust between the team and Alex.
"It was the six most experienced guys in the team. And myself. We've been around a very long time, been through thick and thin and, as a group, culture is extremely important to us. Out of that meeting, everybody agreed that the best decision was for Alex to be deselected.
"Obviously we can't make that decision, we can only speak to the selectors, and Ashley Giles, about how the team feels.
"I have had communication with Alex. I have reiterated that the support is there and for him.
"It's very important that Alex utilises the help put in place by the ECB and the PCA from here to try and regain that trust."
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Morgan also confirmed fast bowler Jofra Archer will make his England debut in Friday's ODI against Ireland in Malahide, while Dawid Malan - added to the squad following Hales' axing - and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes will also feature for the first time.
Watch Ireland's ODI against England live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Friday.
