Eoin Morgan's return to lead England's limited-overs teams, alongside record-breaking opener Alex Hales, was rubber-stamped when the selectors named both to face India in the new year.
Coach Trevor Bayliss spelled out that a protracted absence for either "wasn't even discussed" as England stayed true to their word of 'no recriminations' for Morgan and Hales' decision to opt out of the last tour of Bangladesh because of security concerns.
They were the only two to stay at home, while stand-in captain Jos Buttler led England to a hard-earned 2-1 victory in October, after deliberations by all as to whether they were comfortable making the trip following the deadly terror attack on a Dhaka cafe in July.
England and Wales Cricket Board director Andrew Strauss said in September he was disappointed the captain and hard-hitting opener were not travelling but added then, and several times since, that, despite 'no guarantees', the decision would not be held against them.
So it proved on Monday evening as England announced two 15-man squads for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s against India in January and February, which were otherwise notable for the inclusion of Jonny Bairstow ahead of Ben Duckett. The Northamptonshire batsman made two half-centuries in three white-ball innings against Bangladesh but has since struggled in Tests there and in India.
Bayliss' first task following confirmation of Morgan and Hales' return was to stress that no consideration was given to leaving them out.
"It wasn't even discussed," said the Australian.
"The decision was that there would not be any recriminations against them, and they are straight back in."
Bayliss also ruled out the conjecture, aired by several pundits, that Morgan might compromise team-mates' respect - after England's dramatic improvement under his leadership since the 2015 World Cup - having declined to accompany them into the ring-of-steel security environment provided for the Bangladesh tour.
"I have not sensed that at all," Bayliss said.
"He gets on well with all of the guys in the team.
"He is very highly-respected with everyone for the job he has done over the last two years."
Duckett's omission was a marginal call as England chose just reward for Bairstow's brilliant form across the formats over the past year.
"There was a lot of discussion around Duckett," said Bayliss.
"He did well in Bangladesh, and if we had left someone else out they would have been desperately unlucky as well.
"Duckett has done himself no harm. He has shot up the pecking order and is right there or thereabouts."
It was simply the case that the return of Hales, Morgan and also Joe Root - rested for the ODIs in Bangladesh - meant someone had to give way.
Bayliss added: "We took the opportunity (in Bangladesh) to blood some younger players, who did well.
"We have done pretty well over the last 18 months in white-ball cricket, and the team has been reasonably stable and successful. There is no reason to change.
"(Duckett) has done well for himself, but we thought we would show a bit of solidarity with the team we have had and done so well."
When the opportunity arises, during the remainder of England's Test series in India, Bayliss will remind Duckett of the outstanding progress he has made over the past eight months.
"It is always difficult to leave someone out like that," he said.
"(But) sometimes change for change's sake means that someone in the team would have been bitterly disappointed and asking questions why they were left out.
"I have not had the chance to speak to him yet, but my message to him will be 'mate, well done, you have had a fantastic start and see this as the beginnings of a career . keep going out and scoring runs because you are right there or thereabouts'.
"He has something about him that I think is quite exciting for England cricket."
More immediately, Bairstow and Sam Billings, who hit an impressive half-century as an emergency opener in the series-clincher in Bangladesh, have got the nod.
They may have to wait for their next chance in the middle, though.
"Billings and Bairstow at this stage are probably the two spare batters," said Bayliss.
"We think both are also two of our better players of spin.
"Billings did well with the opportunity he had in Bangladesh, and Bairstow has been batting well.
"Probably over the last couple of years, due to strength of the team we have had, he has not had the opportunities he would have liked.
"He is a good player, we all know that, and we want to keep him involved."
Source: PA
