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Morgan returns to lead England’s Twenty20 side in India
Eoin Morgan will relish the chance to extend England’s feelgood factor, after their historic Test series victory in India, when he leads an inexperienced Twenty20 team against the hosts today.
The Irishman, who has just once before led his adopted country – against his native one, in a one-day international – steps up again, because regular captain Stuart Broad has gone home injured.
Morgan spent much of the past two months on the periphery of the Test squad, as England famously won in India for the first time since 1984-85.
But he will step out of the nets and into centre stage, for the first of two Twenty20s before his team follow the Test specialists back to England in time for Christmas.
The middle order batsman will be unfazed by his sudden shift into the limelight – because he has made it his business to be ready to do so, since he was first made vice-captain.
Asked if it is a difficult adjustment, he said: “I don’t think so.
“Being vice-captain of the Twenty20 side in the first place, you’re always going to be thrust into a situation where the captain might get injured.
“It’s not that I’ve prepared for it, but mentally you think if something happens to Broady then you might get the chance.
“Really, I’m quite happy to take the reins.”
England lost by an embarrassing 90-run margin when they were bowled out for a record low score of 80 in their last Twenty20 meeting with India.
That came in Colombo three months ago during the failed defence of their ICC World Twenty20 title, and today they will make at least four changes as they choose from an especially young squad.
Morgan is enthused by the chance to be part of their development, with the next World Twenty20 in Bangladesh already in mind. “It’s a great opportunity for me in these two games against one of the best sides in the world in their backyard.
“It’s certainly going to be a challenge I’m looking forward to.”
He hopes the success of the Test team can pass on a winning momentum too.
“Absolutely, as we’ve seen in the past when the Test side has done well, it’s had a knock-on effect with the other two teams – and certainly we’ll be looking to win these two games and take confidence and momentum from the Test side and keep the winning habit up. Sri Lanka was a bit of a disappointment – we certainly didn’t achieve any of our expectations or perform in crucial games when we really needed to.
“There were a number of areas we looked at and identified, and we hope we’ll produce the performances which will catch up the learning curve we’re going through at the moment.
“It’s in preparation for Bangladesh, and the young guys coming through have fantastic potential,” he added.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 31 mph
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