9 of the times
MORG’S RECORD
EOIN MORGAN is to ring the changes in Colombo after his all conquering side won a ninth ODI series in a row.
And to think they did not actually play their best cricket in another rainaffected clash, but still managed to triumph by 18 runs when the heavens opened.
A big part of that was down to Morgan himself who was 31 not out to continue his fine form on this tour, not just as a world-class batsman but a captain who is in total control of his team and the way they play.
Never before have England won nine series in a row – their only blip really coming in a one-off match against Scotland in the summer – and much of that is down to Morgan and the strength in depth at his disposal.
Players such as Sam Curran, Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett are all itching for a run out on Tuesday and Morgan admitted he will make the most of the 3-0 series lead with one game to play.
“There’s an opportunity in Colombo to make some changes,” said Morgan.
“Particularly with guys who haven’t played yet.
“There are guys who have played and haven’t had much chance but just because we’ve won the series it doesn’t mean we
don’t want to win the next game. We’re going to be trying our nuts off to win that game but also it is an opportunity to look at some other guys as well.
“I am pleased with the win, but we have to be honest with where we are at and where we need to improve.
“Our fielding today wasn’t anywhere near and we haven’t played great cricket on this tour.” Morgan has been the stand-out performer across the three ‘matches’ they have squeezed in between the rain and the way he and Joe Root added an unbroken 56 to stay ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis target was masterful.
Root should have been out on 22 when he was caught at short fine leg, only for the umpire to call a no-ball due to not enough fielders being in the circle. The sort of CLOBBERED: Eoin Morgan hits a six in Kandy mistake England don’t make.
Alex Hales was given another chance at the top of the order, due to an ankle injury to Jonny Bairstow during a football warm-up.
Bairstow will go for a scan in Colombo and with his right foot in a surgical boot his whiteball season appears to be over, with a race now on to be fit for next month’s Tests.