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England captain Eoin Morgan 'massive fan' of first T20 international Tri-Series

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England captain Eoin Morgan is full of praise for international cricket's first T20 Tri-Series and feels it is an opportunity for players to prove themselves

England captain Eoin Morgan is enthused about international cricket's first T20 Tri-Series but doubts there is room in the calendar for it to become a regular feature.

The Trans-Tasman contest, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, sees each side play each other twice before a showpiece final in Auckland - a familiar format in the 50-over game but a first for its shorter cousin.

England begin against Australia in Hobart on Wednesday and, if successful, face the prospect of five games in a fortnight having played just seven T20s in the whole of 2017.

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Morgan said: "I'm a massive fan of tri-series, they bring the competitive nature out in every team.

"In a tournament basis, you have the carrot of a final at the end, so I'm all for them. If we could play more, we would but I don't think it's viable with travel schedules around the world."

England were without four players for the win over the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, but are looking healthier after a couple of days in Tasmania.

Jason Roy and Alex Hales are due to reclaim their positions at the head of the innings, despite David Willey smashing Ashes-winning spinner Nathan Lyon for 34 in an over when asked to deputise.

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England batsman Jason Roy acknowledges the applause after being dismissed by Australia's for 180 during their one-day international cricket match played at
Image: Jason Roy is likely to be fit for the first game against Australia

Roy has recovered well from back spasms and has been batting normally in the nets, while the hand injury Hales sustained when dropping a catch in the final match of the one-day series has settled well.

In the seam department, Chris Jordan is fit to go after shaking off a minor hamstring complaint but Liam Plunkett, who also injured a hamstring in the third ODI, is not quite ready for action.

Who makes the final XI remains to be seen as Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss look to compensate for the absence of three regular all-rounders - the rested Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, and Ben Stokes, who is preparing for his February 13 appearance at Bristol Magistrates' Court.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11:  Liam Plunkett of England looks on during the One Day Tour Match between the Cricket Australia XI and England at Drummoyne
Image: Liam Plunkett will be unavailable for the opening match of the tri-series

"We have guys who are pressing cases for different positions the whole time, they're good decisions to be making," said Morgan.

"The wicket looked a completely different wicket as I walked out than when I first did on Monday. I think it'll look different again for the game so the balance of the side will be under consideration.

"The guys who trained yesterday came out well, Hales and Roy. Plunkett's still making progress and more than likely not going to be fit for the first game but Jordan came through nicely and should be fit."