Eoin Morgan should succeed Trevor Bayliss as coach – Steve Harmison

Under Morgan's captaincy, England have transformed into a world-beating side in the white-ball formats, so much that they are now No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings.

Bayliss has been overseen most of this progress, but is set to bow out from the role in September, after the Ashes, when his present contract expires. Harmison, who represented England in 123 internationals, is of the opinion that Morgan is the natural successor to Bayliss.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Durham leg of the ICC World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, Harmison said: "I think Eoin Morgan is a magnificent leader. 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."

Harmison likened Morgan to Michael Vaughan, the captain under whom England famously regained the Ashes for the first time in 16 years in the epic 2005 series. Morgan is not a member of England's Test set-up, but Harmison feels that Joe Root, the Test captain, could learn valuable lessons from playing under Morgan at the World Cup.

"Joe Root and the players have got so much respect for him that I would have him in the set-up in a leadership role because he's calm and extreme pressure just doesn't seem to bother him," said Harmison, who was a key member of that 2005 series. "He's a bit like Michael Vaughan in that aspect, he can make decisions under pressure – clear, calculated decisions that are the right ones.

"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. 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."

Like most, Harmison believes England have a great chance to win their maiden ODI World Cup, although he acknowledges that there are other sides with a strong chance to claim the trophy too. One way or another, he's confident the World Cup will be a 'magnificent spectacle'.

"Talent will get you to a World Cup semi-final, but then you need that little bit of luck or brilliance," he said. "England have got it, but it just a case of getting through and channeling all the good qualities they've got to make sure when they do get to the pressure situations, they execute what they want to do.

"They've got a great chance, but so have India, Australia and South Africa. There's some good teams and great cricketers playing for that World Cup. It's going to be a magnificent spectacle."