Morgan buoyant after experimental England take down New Zealand
Eoin Morgan spoke glowingly about England’s latest crop of T20 debutants after securing a 3-2 series victory over New Zealand, with the captain stating: “we are further ahead than we thought.”
Without household names the likes of Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, the five-match series was seen as an opportunity to blood some of the country’s finest rising T20 stars.
Tom Banton, Lewis Gregory, Pat Brown, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson all made their senior England debuts, while veteran squad players James Vince and Dawid Malan returned to the fore with vital contributions at times.
The experience gained from such a hotly-contested series should serve England well ahead of next year’s World T20, and England skipper Morgan was more than pleased with the contributions of his newest charges.
With a Super Over once again required to break the deadlock between the two nations, Morgan was asked whether he foresaw this method making the headlines again so soon after the World Cup final: “No, not at all. I definitely thought there was going to be a result in an 11-over game.
“I thought we’d either chase it down or we’d get beaten quite comfortably.
“The fact it went down to the wire indicates how the guys applied themselves and the level of skill they produced to get close. It was brilliant again and another step forward for us as a group.”
Chris Jordan was ultimately the headline act for England on Sunday, scoring 12 from the last three deliveries, including four from the final one, to draw the tourists level.
READ: England beat New Zealand on Super Over because of course they do
After Jonny Bairstow and Morgan had both bludgeoned sixes to lift England to 17 in their Super Over, Jordan bowled with plenty of guile to restrict New Zealand to eight for one in their reply.
Jordan may already be an accomplished T20 performer for England but this tour has seen England’s next generation emerge – and Morgan believes they have put pressure on the more established stars rested from the series.
With the start of the T20 World Cup less than 12 months away, Morgan said: “It creates a really good headache for us when it comes to selection.
“We are further ahead than we thought and the guys on this tour who will probably miss out on South Africa (at the beginning of next year) have raised that benchmark for guys who come back in.
“They are now almost expected to score runs and expected to do well because of opportunities given and taken by these guys.”
READ MORE REACTION
Jordan draws on past Super Over experiences, Southee gracious in defeat
Bairstow opens up on Super Over drama, Morgan ecstatic with key man
Follow us on Twitter @Cricket365 and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
The AshesPat Cummins unveiled as new Australia captain as Tim Paine takes leave of absence
Steve Smith will serve as Cummins’s deputy in the Test side.
-
ODI cricketFirst ODI: South Africa vs The Netherlands – Live scores
Follow South Africa vs Holland.
-
-
-
IrelandFormer Northants coach David Ripley appointed interim Ireland coach
Ireland have appointed Ripley on a three-month deal.
-
The AshesBig Ant Studios delay the release of Cricket 22 over Tim Paine sexting scandal
The official Ashes game will not drop until 2 December.
-
County CricketLeicestershire chair says cricket has been torn apart by racism crisis ahead of departure
Mehmooda Duke has left her role early.
-
Test cricketDebutant Iyer guides India through the smog and peril from Black Caps bowlers
Shreyas Iyer struck an unbeaten 75 to put India in charge.
-
The AshesBroadcaster to review Ashes coverage plan that includes Michael Vaughan commentary
Vaughan, who has denied allegations of racism during his time with Yorkshire, will be commentating on the Fox Sports feed that BT planned to use.
-
Test cricketSri Lanka steamroll through West Indies to take first Test in Galle
West Indies threatened to resist but a post-lunch collapse did them in.