Security the key for Morgan as captain stars in England victory

Eoin Morgan says he feels as comfortable at the crease as he ever has done after starring in England’s five-wicket victor y over Pakistan in the second Twe n t y 2 0 i n t e r n a t i o n a l a t Emirates Old Trafford.

The captain struck 66 from 33 balls as Pakistan’s 195 for four was overhauled with five balls to spare, putting the hosts 1- 0 up in the series ahead of tomorrow’s final match.

Morgan i s ave r a g i n g 4 8 . 4 with a strike-rate of 174.1 in the 14 T20s he has played for England since the start of last year, and the Irishman put his form down to the security he feels in his role.

“Even before the series started, within T20 cricket in the last two years in internationals and some domestic are my best numbers to date which is great,” Morgan said.

“If I can combine a little bit of that with experience that will go a long way – certainly when I’m moving up and down the order between four and six – to try to win a game. Before I became captain, jumping up and down the order I didn’t feel that comfortable with it, but now that it’s my decision I feel more at ease.”

D a w i d M a l a n p l a y e d a n important supporting role in a 112-run stand with Morgan, who was dismissed with 18 still required from the final three overs, after an opening stand of 66 from Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton. Malan registered his seventh 50-plus score in 12 T20 international innings and hit the winning runs to finish unbeaten on 54 from 36 balls, but his place in the side is far from assured.

Jos Buttler could be among several Test stars who return for the sprint format series against Australia which starts next week.

Asked whether Malan may have to adapt to batting lower d o w n , Mo rg a n r e s p o n d e d : “Realistically for your spare batters in a squad you need your top three covered and then the other batter is an allrounder. They might be a spinning or seaming all-rounder. The options we have with Jos at the top of the order is to play around and alternate if need b e – if t ha t f ormula d o e sn’t work – which brings top-order players back in the frame.”