ENGLAND ARE DOWN AND OUT
EOIN MORGAN said his team had been scuppered by the schedule after they were dumped out of the Champions Trophy by outsiders Pakistan. England were favourites going into their semi-final against the world’s eighth-ranked side — only to be thrashed by eight wickets on a surface that was more Karachi than Cardiff. Morgan highlighted the fact that Pakistan had played on the same pitch against Sri Lanka only
two days earlier, but England’s final group game had been on a far truer surface against Australia at Edgbaston. ‘Having watched the game against Sri Lanka, we didn’t think the pitch was that bad,’ he said. ‘But today it was. Coming from Edgbaston, it was a big jump in pace and bounce, and too much for us to adjust.’ Pakistan passed England’s 211 with 77 balls to spare and Morgan said: ‘I think the explanation is they played two days ago on it.’ The conditions discouraged England from their usual fluent strokeplay. Having hit 23 sixes in three group matches, they couldn’t manage one against inspired Pakistan bowling. ‘I don’t think there was any home advantage,’ said Morgan. ‘We knew we were going to play on a used wicket at some stage, which potentially brought Pakistan’s game closer to their home. We left ourselves short adapting to conditions. We bowled OK, but defending 200 we needed a well above-par bowling performance. If we had put 280 on the board it might have been a different game.’ Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said: ‘It was equal for both teams. We played better cricket. That’s why we won.’