ALEX HALES AND HEARTY
Opener stepped up just when we needed him to, says Morgan of the man he refused to pick
EOIN MORGAN has heaped praise on Alex Hales after his two explosive innings helped fire England into the semifinals of theT20World Cup.
And on a good-looking surface with conditions to suit, Morgan would be delighted if the opener could spark once more against India today to send England into the final.
It is a generous turnaround from the former skipper, who refused to pick Hales in his side as a matter of trust following his axing on the eve of the 2019 World Cup for a recreational drugs ban.
Hales neither regained that trust, nor could he force his way past the likes of Jason Roy or Jonny Bairstow and back into the side under Morgan.
But after swapping his bat for a microphone as a Sky Cricket pundit, Morgan is full of admiration for the way Hales has returned to England colours, scoring 52 against New Zealand and 47 against Sri Lanka in must-win matches.
“I have been impressed with Alex,” he said. “Both times he has performed, it was in key periods of the game.
“The fifth over against New Zealand, when he took Tim Southee on, was a crucial moment because [fellow opener] Jos Buttler hadn’t faced a lot of balls at that stage.
“Alex took on that responsibility and executed it and then at the SCG he was outstanding. I don’t think Sri
Lanka bowled all that well to him but still some of the shots were unbelievable.
“That on-drive for six down the ground was incredible. “I suppose the only thing
display
that’s changed between the transition from one captain to
teams,
the other is that Jos has had the bad end of the stick with
TV times
injuries, so it’s a completely
etc
different circumstance.
“But everybody’s happy for him, which is important.
“And for the semi-final the pitch looks good, the weather looks good, so I expect things to be back to normal for how England are set up.”
Morgan left a remarkable legacy after revolutionising England’s white-ball cricket from 2015 to 2022.
But now that he has left the dressing room, he is not only pleased with how new skipper Buttler is doing in the hot seat, he is also delighted to see him do it his own way.
“Jos has been brilliant and has been very authentic,” added the 36-year-old Morgan. “He nailed every decision against New Zealand, which
Both times he’s performed it was in key periods of the game
was great for the team.
“Since he took over he’s gone with decisions that he feels are right, whether it’s the balance of the side, the make-up of the team, how they want to play, he is making the calls and being true to himself, which you have to.”
Cutting a relaxed figure in Adelaide with his Australian wife and his son out here with him, Morgan has enjoyed the switch to commentary.
But surely there must be a part of him that would love to be taking on India on the biggest stage and trying to capture that secondWorld Cup, after landing the 50-over version three years ago?
“There’s not one bit of me that wants to play in that game on Sunday,” said Morgan.
“I’ve loved the new role and it is the first time in 17 or 18 years that I can turn up to an event like this and just enjoy it as a cricket fan.
“I’m really proud sitting back and watching England continue to play positively and test the limits.
“They are going to have to be at their best but this is what they play for.”
● Watch England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final against India exclusively live on Sky Sports Cricket today, with build-up from 7am.