ICC World Cup 2019 | It’s the way we want to play our cricket, says Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan concluded his team’s comprehensive victory over India on Sunday by reemphasizing that their pattern of win was exactly the way they wanted to play the game. Morgan had high praise for his batsmen, saying they strung partnerships all the way, and attacked the spinners brilliantly.
Heading into what was tagged as ‘the game of the World Cup’ so far, England were under the pump. With two games to go, and their place in the semifinals hanging in the balance, the hosts had to produce a win from somewhere. A flat pitch, a toss won, and a playing field with disproportionate boundary lengths did the trick. A smug England captain summed up his team’s performance at the post-match presentation as ‘outstanding,’
"I thought we had an outstanding day. Winning the toss and batting was an easy decision and it ended up working out. It's the way we want to play our cricket,” Morgan said at the post-match presentation, reported ESPNCricinfo.
England were boosted by the return of an in-form Jason Roy to the top of the batting lineup. The 28-year-old cashed in big time, smashing 66 off just 57 balls at the top. Alongside him, Jonny Bairstow struck a firm century, his first in World Cup, to notch up a 160-run opening stand in just 22.1 overs. The England captain commended their efforts, especially in attacking the Indian spinners and the batsmen that followed for stringing partnerships along all the way to the end.
“Jason Roy coming back in, Jonny going on and getting a hundred that was magnificent. The continuation of partnerships throughout took us to a good total. They are huge threats, the two main spinners for India, but them being taken on was great to see. It's the way we want to play our cricket,” Morgan said.
Man of the Match for his well made hundred, Jonny Bairstow added that he drew from his experience in the IPL to play the spinners well. Bairstow, who had a shaky start with the ball going past either edges, and sometimes nicking a few, said the Indians bowled well upfront.
“Having been at the IPL with VVS definitely helped (deal with spinners). The basic principles are the same. They bowled well up front and the ball did a bit, a couple of inside edges went for fours. But you capitalise when you can,” Bairstow said.
Looking ahead, England still aren’t ensured of a place in the semifinals. But, Jonny Bairstow isn’t looking merely at finishing top 4 in the points table. Although he admitted that there were improvements still to be made, England were already eyeing the ultimate prize - the World Cup itself.
“There's still things we can improve on against New Zealand, who’ve had a fantastic World Cup so far. We’ll be looking to build on this performance. We also know we've got three must-win games in this World Cup up next," Bairstow added.
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