Liam Plunkett at ease with latest England omission and open to idea of representing the US

World Cup-winner’s wife is American and he would snap up the chance to help develop American cricket after they gained one-day international recognition last year after being left out of England’s plans

Liam Plunkett has no issue with being left out of the latest England squad (Getty)

World Cup winner Liam Plunkett was neither surprised nor disappointed to be absent from England's summer training group last week, having already come to terms with the end of his involvement.

Plunkett was a pivotal member of the side which provided one of the sporting highlights of 2019, boasting a 100 per cent record in the tournament and taking three vital wickets in the Lord's final.

That was the last time the 35-year-old represented his country, and though he was disappointed by the lack of communication regarding his dropping over the winter, being omitted from the most recent 55-man list was a snub he took with good grace.

"To be honest I felt like my ship had sailed," Plunkett told the Tuffers and Vaughan Show on BBC Radio Five Live.

"I didn't even know until I got a phone call from (national selector) Ed Smith that this group of players was getting together. When I got the call to say I wasn't in it I was like 'all right, I wasn't expecting to be in'.

"I thought it was dealt with really badly after the World Cup. I found out on Twitter I wasn't in the squad.

"I'm more than happy to step aside, it was just the way it was dealt with."

Having made his international bow in 2005, Plunkett is now focusing on life at his new county Surrey and wishes those who have been chosen to carry England forward good luck.

"I'm not going to sit here and be upset, I'm not bitter about it. Eight months ago I was disappointed, now I just want the players to come in and do well," he said.

"Do I feel like I'm still good enough to be in the one-day squad? Absolutely. But they're going in a different direction, with a younger group for the next World Cup and that's fair enough."

Plunkett also admitted that he is open to the idea of representing the United States in the future. His wife is American, though he would need to serve a three-year residency period to be eligible to play for the US, who gained one-day international status last year.

"It would be nice be involved in some sort of cricket over there," Plunkett added.

"My kids might be American, so it would be quite cool to say to them that I played for England and the US."

Right-arm quick Plunkett added that he could see himself mentoring young American cricketers.

"I'm English and I'll always be an Englishman, but if I'm still fit and there's an opportunity to play at the highest level, why would I not take it?"

"If I go over there and end up being a US citizen, or have a green card, I can help the development, especially being someone who has just finished with England."

PA and Reuters