EOIN’S A BIG HIT!
Captain’s ton sets up victory
EOIN MORGAN led from the front as England got their summer of One-Day drama off to a flying start against South Africa.
Morgan’s 10th century in the 50-over game saw him close in on England’s one-day record as his side romped to a 72-run victory.
More significantly, the captain looks in fine fettle ahead of next month’s Champions Trophy, his superb 107 helping the hosts post a mammoth 339 for six at Headingley yesterday.
Cruised
Despite Hashem Amla and Faf du Plessis staging a spirited pursuit, once they departed wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
And when Proteas skipper AB de Villiers was caught in the deep for 45 off Moeen Ali, there was no way back as England cruised home.
Morgan is certainly in a rich vein of form, scoring his third ton in his last eight ODI innings.
The left-hander had failed to reach three figures in his previous 24 matches before his latest purple spell.
And it means only Marcus Trescothick, with 12, has passed three figures more times for England in this format.
“It was a pretty good day at the office for us,” said the England captain.
“I have felt good for a while. I didn’t play as much in the IPL as I would have liked but I got a few runs in the Ireland game and to continue that here is a good feeling.”
On Moeen, who joined him in a 117run stand and took the man-of-thematch award, Morgan added: “I think he’s a fantastic player!”
The dismissal of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, who were both returning to the middle order after a spell in the IPL, put the onus heavily on Morgan.
But he found a perfect foil in Moeen, who smashed an unbeaten 77 in 51 deliveries and later took two wickets.
Morgan hit five maximums, including one that took him to three figures.
The only concern for England was a knee injury picked up by Stokes. The all-rounder bowled just two overs before hobbling off.
He returned to field soon after but did not bowl again.