SM
Spurs vs. Man United: 17 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

England

Eoin Morgan challenges England to stand up to increased expectations

:Headline: Eoin Morgan challenges England to stand up to increased expectations: ID:408354: from db_amp
The opener against Ireland on Thursday is England's first on these shores since being crowned world champions.

Eoin Morgan is understandably confident England have a blueprint for success after their World Cup win but admitted how he and his team-mates adjust to the heightened expectations will be critical in the next couple of years.

Having ascended to the top of the one-day rankings before ending their drought in global 50-over tournaments last year, England are the undisputed top dogs in the format ahead of the Royal London series against Ireland.

The opener on Thursday is England's first on these shores since being crowned world champions but the coronavirus pandemic means the homecoming will be played out in front of empty seats at the Ageas Bowl.

England are the reigning 50-over world champions and sit top of the ODI rankings (Nick Potts/PA)

Morgan, though, declared he was "extremely happy" to be back playing in a three-match series in which England will be without Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood due to their Test duties.

While a number of those who were part of the World Cup squad remain, this series is a chance for those on the fringes to make a case for themselves in the knowledge that England will have a target on their backs ahead of back-to-back T20 World Cups in the next two years and the defence of their 50-over crown in 2023.

But asked if it was more of a challenge to retain their title, Morgan said: "I would rather be in that position than not winning and having to find a winning formula.

"Winning last year has given our guys a huge amount of confidence in the process, strategy and planning which we went through over a four-year period.

"It allows us to go into every World Cup with that strategy and forward-thinking, contributing along the way the whole time in trying to continually to get better.

England will be without Ben Stokes, left, and Jos Buttler for the series against Ireland (Mike Egerton/PA)

"Seeing the finished product last year was an eye opener for everybody who hadn't won a World Cup to date. But also, it creates a level of expectation everywhere we go.

"That's one that sits well with some of our guys but for a lot of our guys, they haven't experienced that so it's important to recognise what is expected of us moving forward. Because we want to win more trophies."

England whittled down a white-ball training group to a 14-man squad ahead of a series which marks the start of the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, forming part of the qualification process for 2023.

Phil Salt was among those omitted despite a 58-ball ton for England Lions against Ireland last weekend while there was also no room for Sam Hain, who averages 59.78 in 58 List A matches.

“We'll continue to give opportunities but it's to those guys we feel might have an impact in selection on the next two T20 World Cups or the next 50-over World Cup”
- Eoin Morgan

James Vince and Sam Billings, both of whom have been on the periphery of the side for a number of years, have been included despite modest records with batting averages of under 25 in 13 and 15 ODIs respectively.

Morgan added: "I think a lot of the perception is that they've almost had their chance and their time has gone. But going into the next World Cup we need experienced guys making good decisions under pressure and experience lends itself to that.

"We'll continue to give opportunities but it's to those guys we feel might have an impact in selection on the next two T20 World Cups or the next 50-over World Cup."

Vince attracted criticism following scores of 26, 14 and nought when he stood in for the injured Jason Roy during three World Cup group stage matches last year.

Eoin Morgan defended James Vince, pictured (Tim Goode/PA)

However, as Alex Hales had been the designated spare batsman before failing a second recreational drugs test, Morgan shielded Vince from disapproval.

Morgan added: "I think that's an unfair judgement on James to start with.

"The guy who had the opportunities in the lead-in to the World Cup or as the spare batsmen (Hales) tested positive in a drugs test and was ruled out. Those opportunities might have fallen to James.

"He would have been better positioned going into the World Cup."

amp_article__408354 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-07-29 14:41:58:
html db last update - 2020-07-29 14:41:58 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Eoin Morgan

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .