HIT’S COMING HOME
Brilliant England are in the final after eight-wicket destruction of the old enemy
EOIN MORGAN says England’s World Cup heroes can make cricket cool again – thanks to their first final in 27 years being broadcast on free-to-air TV. Following the semi-final walloping of Australia at Edgbaston, Channel 4 have struck a deal with Sky to show Sunday’s final against New Zealand live as England attempt to win a first World Cup.
It is the first time since their victorious Ashes campaign in 2005 that England will be shown live on terrestrial television. “It is very cool,” said Morgan (above, with Joe Root), who hit the winning runs against the hapless Aussies. “Particularly given the 2005 Ashes for me was when cricket became cool. Throughout the summer, the
game was on the front and back page of every newspaper going, everyone was talking about it.
“That is really good for the game and it’s the game I love, so it’s great news it’s on free-to-air.”
Fans could be forgiven for being nostalgic, especially with the Edgbaston crowd belting out ‘Cricket’s coming home’.
After this eight-wicket win, there is little doubt Morgan’s side are playing their best cricket at the right time.
Asked if cricket was indeed coming home, he replied: “I wouldn’t get too carried away yet!
“It is a very exciting time for everybody and ourselves included. I think giving ourselves the opportunity for Sunday’s final is brilliant. We’ll be giving it everything we can in order to try and win that game.
“The performances in the last three games, we have got better and better as a group.
“I think Sunday’s not a day to shy away from, it’s a day to look forward to, much like today. We have created the opportunity to play in a World Cup final.”
Describing cricket as cool is appropriate since man-of-thematch Chris Woakes referred to his skipper in similar terms.
“Morgs is cool as ice with everything he does, regardless of the situation,” said Woakes (above) after taking 3-20.
“He is great to have as captain because he keeps everything simple and doesn’t change his emotions much, which in the heat of the battle is what you need.”