Morgan is likely to be replaced by Root if he is deemed unfit to play
England batsman Eoin Morgan is in doubt for the national team’s second Twenty20 International against New Zealand after injuring his back during his side’s 40-run in the first Twenty20 in Auckland on Saturday.
Morgan, who top scored for England in the first Twenty20 with 46 runs from 26 balls, took a brilliant running catch to dismiss New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, but ended up tweaking his back later on in the game.
England are now in Hamilton for the second Twenty20 International and if Morgan if found to be unfit for the match, then 22-year-old Joe Root is likely to replace him after coming in as the substitute fielder during the first Twenty20.
Without Morgan in the side, England will have been dealt a huge blow since he is one of their most experienced Twenty20 players, with 33 games under his belt, which puts him at sixth on England’s list.
Pace bowler Stuart Broad the batsman Kevin Pietersen are just two of the other players ahead of Morgan on the list, but all-rounder Luke Wright tops the list with 40 games to his name since making his debut in 2007.
Wright was included in the Twenty20 sqaud after his outstanding 99 during the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 last September and he did not fail to impress, smashing an outstanding 20-ball 42.
He also picked up two wickets in the four overs he bowled.
With Wright having put up consistent performance after consistent performance, he is looking to continue proving himself to limited overs coach Ashley Giles and perhaps even earn a spot on the ODI roster.
“I have huge ambitions to get back in the one-day side,” he said. “It’s something I’m desperate to do.
“I’ve just got to keep knocking on the door, and keep badgering Gilo and saying ‘Look mate, I’m scoring runs – what have I got to do?’ If there’s a spot for me, I hope he’ll pick me. If there isn’t, I can’t do much else. Maybe come the end of the tour, it might be something I could sit down and have a chat with him about, to find out what he wants to see from me or where I can improve and give myself better chances to get in.”
With the Champions Trophy being hosted by England in June this year, the national side could sure use an experienced all-rounder like Wright to come in after the top order of captain Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott, who are followed by the flamboyant duo of Pietersen and Morgan.
Despite having a bowling average of 57.53, Wright is extremely likely to be included since pace bowler Tim Bresnan is currently in the United States undergoing a second operation on his elbow, while 23-year-old Chris Woakes does not have much experience.
“It’s quite tough obviously at the top of the order – with KP, Cookie, Belly and Trotty to come back in,” Wright said. “But I’d like to come into that middle order if there’s no role for me at the top, and obviously my bowling might help. Batting at number three [in T20], I’m getting a key role in an England side – a responsibility that gives me a lot of confidence, and it’s great to repay that faith.”
Wright and Morgan were key in helping England achieve their highest total in Twenty20 Internationals, as they hammered the ball to all parts of the rather short boundaries at Seddon Park.
This series also give former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor a chance to prove himself once again, and while coach Mike Hesson is pleased to have Taylor back, he also noted that he agreed with Taylor’s summary of their relationship being a “work in progress” after a heated dispute saw Taylor step down from leading the side in all formats.
“It was certainly good to have him back,” Hesson said. “I think ‘work in progress’ is a good term. We’re working well together … and the longer we do that the better that relationship will be. But it’s going to take a while before we’re going out for coffee every week.”