No repeat of World Cup debacle insists Morgan
ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND
Eoin Morgan is confident Englandcanmatchnewzealand man for man in Cardiff – unlike in the embarrassing defeat against the same opponents in their last meeting at a global one-day international tournament.
England reached a breaking point in February 2015 when their hosts dished out a lesson with an eight-wicket annihilation in Wellington which took less than half the scheduled 100 overs.
On return from that World Cup, England reinvented themselves, successfully unveiling a new Kiwi-style template of all-out attack little more than three months later on the way to a 3-2 home win over Brendon Mccullum’s tourists.
Morgan, pictured, concedes it was “men against boys” before then, but nothing of the sort now as his team set their sights on victory today which would already book a Champions Trophy semi-final berth. It was, perhaps, not top of Morgan’s wish list to revisit uncomfortable memories. But, as he dutifully did so at his pre-match press conference, he said: “They were one of the favourites going into the tournament and proved that against us that day in Wellington. It was sort of men against boys. But I think it’s completely different now .”
In fact, up to five of that World Cup team may again be in action, including Steven Finn. But Morgan is talking about a new collective belief, rather than mere personnel. “A lot of it has to do with confidence and we are full of confidence.”
England have selection issues to finalise, and were not helped by yesterday’s rain which kept them indoors. Finn, back in the reckoning after the injury which ruled Chris Woakes out of the tournament, may yet come straight back into the team. Morgan said: “I’d have no hesitation in playing Finny tomorrow if we felt it was the right thing to do.” l Australia were denied a crucial win in the Champions Trophy as rain washed out their second match in a row and saved Bangladesh from elimination.
Bangladesh, who had to avoid defeat to keep alive any hopes of qualification from Group A, were skittled for 182 but Australia’s likely stroll to victory was curtailed by bad weather at 83 for one.