Morgan switch stirs national feelings

SYDNEY: Ireland’s management expressed frustration on Friday at seeing Dublin-born Eoin Morgan installed as England captain for the World Cup, but their complaints are unlikely to generate widespread sympathy.

Chief selector and former Ireland captain Alan Lewis said it was “irritating” that 28-year-old Morgan, who originally made his ODI debut in Irish colours, will skipper England at the World Cup which starts on Saturday.

Lewis told the Slog Sweep podcast that Ireland would be in a much stronger position had Morgan and fellow defector Boyd Rankin not decamped to play for England. “It is a wee bit irritating to think where we could be if Eoin and Boyd were available,” Lewis said.

Fast bowler Rankin’s defection backfired when he failed to make the England World Cup squad, but that did little to assuage Lewis’s frustrations. “I look at the England set-up and over the last 10 years, three people from this little island where cricket is the fourth or fifth sport are playing for a country whose national sport is cricket,” he added.

“I wouldn’t want to deprive Eoin Morgan the opportunity with the ability he has, I’d want to play at the top level, and in honesty every Irish supporter would wish him well, it’s a great story, but it’s a great frustration. To get our players back, that’s part of the next step.”