Morgan backs Ballance to come good

England captain Eoin Morgan feels the criticism directed at batsman Gary Ballance is unfair and has backed the left-hander to come good against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Morgan's side take on Sri Lanka in a crucial World Cup encounter at the Westpac stadium in Wellington, and Ballace, who has made scores of 10 in his last three ODI's against Australia, New Zealand and Scotland, is struggling to justify his place in the team.
Batsmen Alex Hales and Ravi Bopara are waiting in the wings if the selectors do decide to make to the batting line-up, with several pundits and ex-players calling for Hales to be selected.
Morgan said: "I think any criticism that has gone his (Ballance's) way so far is unfair. I think he's a fantastic cricketer and a guy with a huge amount of potential.
"He's played against two of the tougher sides in the World Cup and he dragged one on against Scotland. In my eyes he's been a bit unlucky."
Morgan does admit that the Sri Lanka match is a big game for his side in the context of how their tournament will pan out. England have lost to co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, before beating Associate team Scotland.
Morgan added: "It is quite a big game for us in particular. We see these last three group games as must-win games."
Latest
-
News
Gayle, Miller, Khan, Lynn on PSL roster
Chris Gayle, David Miller, Rashid Khan and Chris Lynn are some of the prominent foreigners who will be available in the draft for the PSL.
-
News
England awaiting latest coronavirus results in Sri Lanka
All-rounder Moeen Ali is in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19.
-
News
Langer lauds India’s discipline
Australia coach Justin Langer was full of praise for India’s discipline and planning in their Test series so far.
-
News
Ganguly doing well, to be released from hospital
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is set to be discharged from the Kolkata Woodlands Hospital on Wednesday.
-
News
On This Day in 2011: Collingwood announces retirement from Test cricket
Collingwood called time on his Test career during the victorious Ashes series nine years ago.
-
News
England hoping to avoid wider outbreak after Moeen Ali positive test for Covid-19
Moeen self-isolating for 10 days which ends the day before the first Test of the Sri Lanka tour in Galle.
-
News
Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19 at start of England’s tour of Sri Lanka
He is likely to miss the first Test after self-isolating for 10 days.
-
News
James Anderson confident seamers can contribute in Sri Lanka
The touring squad will have no formal warm-up matches before the first Test in Galle.
-
News
England squad test negative for coronavirus on arrival in Sri Lanka
Players and support staff were sprayed with disinfectant after touching down in Hambantota.