Cook will not be going to the World Cup, the ECB said. It said: "Eoin Morgan has replaced Alastair Cook as England one-day captain with immediate effect.

"England selectors met to pick a 15-man one-day squad for the tour to Australia and the ICC Cricket World Cup. Selectors recommended to managing director England cricket Paul Downton a change in captaincy which has now been approved by the ECB chairman. Cook will continue as England test captain."

After England's series-ending defeat in Colombo last Tuesday, Cook, who hasn't scored a one-day century since June 2012, conceded that he could have no complaints if he lost the one-day captaincy.

But the decision to remove him from the role with the World Cup looming is still a major reversal by Downton and head coach Peter Moores, who have given Cook absolute backing this year.

Cook, who turns 30 on Christmas Day, said: "I am gutted to be left out of the World Cup squad, and it is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment.

"That said I wish Peter, Eoin and the lads all the best for the World Cup.

"I would also like to thank all the players and fans who have supported me during my time as one-day captain."

Morgan described being handed the England World Cup captaincy as "a huge honour".

The 28-year-old Irishman added: "I firmly believe that with the players currently involved in the one-day set-up we have the makings of a very good one-day side, a young side that can surprise people at the World Cup."

Several former England captains were quick to voice their support for the move.

“I think it’ll be a relief to Alastair,” said Mike Atherton, who led England in the 1990s.

“He can now concentrate on batting in test matches at the top of the order. I don’t think Eoin Morgan is going to be in the test side so he can concentrate on the one-day side of things.

“I think it’s the right decision. It makes them look a bit silly, so in many ways a brave one.

“Let’s face it, England can’t do much worse than they have been doing in recent times in one-day cricket.”

Nasser Hussain, who captained England at the 2003 World Cup, agreed with Atherton, but praised Cook for refusing to quit as captain during his miserable run.

“It’s not ideal but I do think it’s the right decision, first and foremost for Alastair,” he said. “Alastair should be quite proud of the way he’s fought to try and regain his form.

“He’s not a quitter, he’s not quit English cricket, he tried to fight hard but he’s gone 59 innings now in an England shirt without a hundred and this is one of the greatest batsmen we’ve ever produced.

“His stats are up there with the [Sachin] Tendulkars of this world and we want to see that Alastair Cook back very well for England in a test shirt.”

However, Michael Vaughan, who took charge of England in the 2007 World Cup, does not believe removing Cook significantly increases the team’s hopes of victory in next year’s tournament.

“Alastair Cook should have gone a while ago as England’s one-day captain,” he said in his Daily Telegraph column.

“Now the decision has been made it is time to look forward. But let’s not kid ourselves. There are still problems in the team and removing Cook will not suddenly turn them into World Cup winners.”

Kevin Pietersen, the controversial batsman axed by England earlier this year due to his troubled relationship with his teammates, welcomed Morgan’s appointment and said he would relish a recall under the new regime.

“Great news that Eoin is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him,” Pietersen tweeted.