CRICKET EXCLUSIVE MORGAN’S BIG, BANG THEORY
England captain so excited by the
EOIN MORGAN is ready to test England’s young Lions this week – with their brief to become the next batch of big-hitters. Five uncapped players have been called into the T20 squad ahead of three internationals against South Africa. And Morgan has confirmed that he wants to give as many as possible a chance – with leg-spinner Mason Crane and powerful all- rounder Liam Livingstone the most likely to figure. England’s skipper wants to find out if the new recruits have what it takes prior to major international tournaments. He s ai d: “The g uys have been exposed to s ome good cricket in the North versus South games. They have done really well in them, particularly Mason Crane. “They are the next group of players that we need to look at, with respect to development as opposed to just the short term. “It’s important that, if Ben Stokes or Adil Rashid go down, we have guys who can come in and play in those circumstances. “It’s an ideal situation really forf th these ld lads. Bi Bringingi th them into this environment is key for me. You get to know them and you get to see them under pressure.”
Several players, including Stokes, Rashid, Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Jake Ball – are featuring in day-night fixtures in the County Championship.
England play a Test match under the lights against the West Indies in less than two months and the selectors want to expose those players to that domestically before stepping i nto the international arena.
And this has given Crane ne and Livingstone – along with Somerset’s Craig Overton, Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan and Surrey quickie Tom Curran – their chances.
Morgan ( right) added:ed: “We have been forced into this situation, but it’s not bad thing. It enables these players to be brought in and out.
“That means they can build their confidence, as opposed to being thrown in at the deep end.
“Certainly, the system we have in this country is leaning towards that, rather than being thrown in.
“And I think that’s probably the way to go and preferable to just chucking them in to see if they sink or swim.”
Former England batsman Rob Key, who has seen the pair develop through his work as a Sky Sports analyst, said: “Liam Livingstone and Mason Crane are probablyb bl th the t two mostt exciting young talents in the country at the moment.
“They are made f or international cricket. Crane has one of the hardest jobs, being a leg-spinner, but has pedigree.
“He’s been out to Australia and played for New South Wales. I can’t think of any other young English players who have forced their way into that quality of competition.
“And every time I have seen Livingstone, I have been impressed by his sense of occasion. He comes out, he hits a few big balls early wherever he plays.
“He is a really clean striker with a good technique.
“Eventually, I can seese him playing all forms of internationali cricket. He looks like he’s made for the big stage.
“But the one thing you don’t know is how any of them will deal with the goldfish bowl of international cricket.
“If they can handle it, then the likes of them and Tom Curran, who I’m pleased to see has been given a chance because he has led Surrey’s attack for the last three years, could put pressure on those in the team – and that’s great for any captain.
“It’s just such a shame what happened in the Champions Trophy this week because I think this is the most exciting time in white- ball cricket that the country has ever had.”