Morgan set for big test
SIR OTTOMAN (22)IFurtado59-7 ......................... JFanning LOST AT SEA (26) K Burke 4 9-7 ................................ C Lee (3) MARYLEBONE (120)DCGriffiths59-7 ................. SDonohoe BOB MAXWELL (215)TDBarron49-5 .................. BenCurtis ASCOT WEEK (31) J J Quinn 4 9-4 .................................. J Hart THELLO (37) J Goldie 6 9-4 (CD) ............................. J P Sullivan TROOPER’S GOLD (264) K Ryan 4 9-3 (C) .................... K Stott WONDERFILLO (17) D O’Meara 4 9-3 ....................... P Makin CADEAU MAGNIFIQUE (343) R Fahey 6 9-3 (D) .... P Hanagan NEWMARKET WARRIOR (37) I Jardine 7 8-13 (CD2) ..K Shoemark INTERNATIONAL LAW (17) A Brittain 4 8-13 (D2) .... C Hardie SYMBOLIC STAR (35) F Murtagh 6 8-11 (CD3) ........................ .............................................................. Connor Murtagh (5)
..Josephine Gordon BETTING: 10-3 Symbolic Star, 6 Wonderfillo, 7 King Oswald, Cadeau Magnifique, 8 Newmarket Warrior, 12 Ascot Week, Trooper’s Gold, Marylebone, 14 Others. (24) Gemma Anderson 4 9-8 ... Connor Murtagh (5) (43)BHaslam38-7 ................. CHardie (14) R Fahey 3 8-7 ................................. B McHugh (19) M Channon 3 8-7...Josephine Gordon (20)KBurke38-7 ........................ BenCurtis (37) J Ward 3 8-7 ................. Rachel Richardson (3) (21) D Carroll 3 8-7 ........................... Phil Dennis (3) A Whillans 3 8-7 ........................ J Gormley (5) (233) B Haslam 3 8-7 ............................... A Mullen (8) W Haggas 3 8-7 ................... P Hanagan (48) B Smart 3 8-7 ........ J P Sullivan (14) M Johnston 3 8-7 ............................ J Fanning BETTING: 11-4 Regina Nostra, 4 Zadorra, 5 Marietta Robusti, 11-2 Porrima, 7 Mayfair Rock, 10 Whererainbowsend, 14 Meerpat, 20 New Rhythm, Daze Out, 33 Others. Going: Standard Draw: No data available BLOODSWEATANDTEARS DARK FREEDOM GOOD BUSINESS STRICTLY CARTER KASBAH SUGAR COATING MISTER MUSIC ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan is enthused about taking part in international cricket’s first Twenty20 tri-series but doubts there is room in the calendar for it to become a regular feature.
The Trans-Tasman contest, cohosted by Australia and New Zealand, sees each side play each other twice before a showpiece final in Auckland - a familiar format in the 50-over game but a first for its shorter cousin.
England begin against Australia in Hobart today and, if successful, face the prospect of five games in a fortnight having played just seven T20s in the whole of 2017.
As a limited-overs specialist that appeals to Morgan, even if it proves the exception rather than the rule in an increasingly crowded fixture list.
“I’m a massive fan of tri-series, they bring the competitive nature out in every team,” he said.
“In a tournament basis you have the carrot of a final at the end, so I’m all for them. If we could play more, we would but I don’t think it’s viable with travel schedules around the world.”
England were without four players when the tuned up for the series with a demolition job on the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, but are looking healthier after a couple of days in Tasmania.
Jason Roy and Alex Hales are due to reclaim their positions at the head of the innings, despite David Willey smashing Ashes-winning spinner Nathan Lyon for 34 in an over when asked to deputise.
Roy has recovered well from back spasms and has been batting normally in the nets, while the hand injury Hales sustained when dropping a catch in the final match of the one-day series has settled well.
In the seam department Chris Jordan is fit to go after shaking off a minor hamstring complaint but Liam Plunkett, who also injured a hamstring in the third ODI, is not quite ready for action.
Who makes the final XI remains to be seen as Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss look to compensate for the absence of three regular all-rounders.