Morgan: Now I want T20 World Cup glory
Eoin Morgan has admitted he needed to discover if he still enjoyed cricket before committing to the captaincy for next year’s twenty20 World Cup in australia.
Director of cricket ashley Giles confirmed last month that Morgan would lead the team as they bid to add the 20-over trophy to the 50-over World Cup won in memorable fashion at Lord’s in July.
But on the eve of england’s fivematch t20 series in new Zealand, Morgan said he did not want to rule out staying in the job for the following t20 World Cup, too, which takes place in india in 2021. By then, he will be 35.
asked what, beyond the state of his perennially troublesome back, influenced his decision to stay on in the role, he replied: ‘if i was enjoying it. Coming back for Middlesex was a bit unnerving — not knowing how i’d feel going out to bat or back in the field.
‘But certainly the drive was there, and after the t20 Blast i took a couple of weeks to think about things and the next year became clearer.
‘i won’t say i’ll be finished after the next World Cup, as i’d be afraid i’d only creep over the line and maybe fall off. i don’t want to let anyone down. i want to drive through the World Cup in australia, then make a call after that.’
Morgan’s immediate task is to sprinkle his white-ball magic on a youthful 20-over side who will attempt to beat new Zealand without Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jason roy, Joe root and Jofra archer — all rested.
and though the new Zealanders regard the tourists’ inexperience as their best chance of hitting back after their Lord’s trauma, Morgan believes england can live up to their no 2 world ranking — four places ahead of their opponents. ‘it gives us confidence, knowing we can do it against the best in the world,’ he said. ‘We’ve got pretty much every base covered.’ NEW ZEALAND (possible): Guptill, Munro, Seifert (wkt), Taylor, Mitchell, Neesham, De Grandhomme, Santner, Sodhi, Southee (capt), Ferguson. ENGLAND (possible): Bairstow, Malan, Vince, Morgan (capt), Denly, Billings (wkt), Gregory, T Curran, Jordan, Rashid, Mahmood. TV: Play starts 1am Friday, LIVE on Sky Sports Cricket from 12.30am.