Eoin Morgan should replace Trevor Bayliss as England coach following Ashes, says Steve Harmison

Eoin Morgan is a leading candidate to replace Trevor Bayliss as England coach following this summer’s Ashes series, Steve Harmison has said.

Bayliss will leave the role at the end of the summer and former England bowler Harmison believes ‘magnificent leader’ Morgan has the credentials to succeed the Australian.

Under Morgan, England’s one-day team has developed into the best side in the world and they are the favourites to win the World Cup on home soil this summer.

‘I think Eoin Morgan is a magnificent leader,’ England hero Harmison said.

‘People laugh at me sometimes but when Trevor Bayliss is leaving after the Ashes, I’d give him the job. I’d want Morgan to lead England as coach.

‘Joe Root and the players have got so much respect for him that I would have him in the setup in a leadership role because he’s calm and extreme pressure just doesn’t seem to bother him.

‘He’s a bit like Michael Vaughan in that aspect, he can make decisions under pressure – clear, calculated decisions that are the right ones.

‘There have been peaks and troughs in his batting, but I’ve never thought for one minute that he shouldn’t be in that side because his leadership qualities are so fantastic.

‘He’s going to be a big player for England over the course of the World Cup.’

Harmison also believes Test captain Joe Root can only stand to benefit from playing under Morgan in the World Cup.

England’s one-day team have won their last ten bilateral series, breaking a number of records on their ascent to the top of the ICC rankings.

‘I think Joe Root will look at the way he leads during the World Cup, how he conducts himself and his decision-making under pressure,’ Harmison added.

‘That’ll help Joe watching from extra cover or mid-on. It’ll educate Joe ahead of what will become a feisty summer with the Ashes at the back end.’

England will bid to win the World Cup for the first time this summer before attempting to regain the Ashes following the 4-0 defeat in Australia 18 months ago.

It will be the first time Root leads England out in a home Ashes and the first series against Australia without former captain Alastair Cook in 14 years.