Morgan: We loved every ball

EOIN MORGAN has called on his team to embrace the challenge of England’s first World Cup final for 27 years. England’s first World Cup victory over Australia since 1992 was their most complete performance of the tournament — and Morgan agreed it was close to their best since the team’s white-ball revolution began four years ago. As for being in a World Cup final, Morgan said: ‘It sounds pretty cool and it feels pretty good. ‘The performance in the last three games, we have got better and better as a group. ‘Everybody out there on the field and even in the changing room loved every ball that was bowled. There was no lack of commitment or application and we had a bit of a day out. It’s cool when it happens like that. ‘Sunday’s not a day to shy away from, it’s a day to look forward to. We have created the opportunity to play in a World Cup final. It will be a matter of trying to produce everything that we can but enjoy the day.’ By contrast, Australian captain Aaron Finch did his best to put a brave face on Australia’s first-ever semi-final defeat after seven previous triumphs. ‘All in all, we were just totally outplayed, to be honest,’ he said. ‘All through the day.’ England’s progress coincided with the news that Sky have agreed to allow the final to be co-broadcast by Channel 4, who will divide coverage of the British Grand Prix and the cricket between their main channel and More4, which is also free to air. Morgan described the move as ‘very cool’, before referencing the last time live English cricket was on a free-to-air channel. ‘For me, the 2005 Ashes was the day cricket became cool,’ he said. ‘The game was on the front and back page of every newspaper going around, everyone was talking about it and that is really good for the game.’ He was echoed by man of the match Chris Woakes. ‘The more people who can watch England play cricket the better,’ he said. Meanwhile, Jason Roy was fined two demerit points and 30 per cent of his match fee by ICC referee Ranjan Madugalle after reacting badly to being given out by Kumar Dhamasena, caught behind down the leg side off Pat Cummins for 85. Roy initially asked for a review and replays showed he hadn’t touched the ball, but he had to leave the field after it was pointed out to him that Jonny Bairstow had already used up England’s challenge. The fine for dissent takes him to three demerit points for this World Cup following an earlier incident against Pakistan, but a ban kicks in only after a player reaches a total of four. LAWRENCE BOOTH reports from Edgbaston