Morgan boosted by winning momentum

England captain confident ahead of final ODI against Australia today.

CARDIFF: Eoin Morgan believes the momentum and belief is now firmly with his England team as it prepares for its winner-takes-all clash with Australia at Southampton today.

The stand-in skipper is confident the dramatic three-wicket victory over Michael Clarke’s men at Cardiff on Saturday can be the turning point for even greater achievements.

England squared the series thanks to a dramatic and explosive 65 not out by wicket-keeper Jos Buttler to ensure the series goes down to the wire.

“We can go into that match with real confidence and the feeling that we have a chance to win the series, and we must grab it with both hands,” said Morgan.

“If we win the fifth game then it will have been a very successful summer not just for the Ashes team but also the limited-overs side. So it is a big match for us.

“We have so much potential and ability in this ODI squad. It is a very young squad which just needs a bit of time to develop and really show its skills.

“Winning a game like we did will give the guys an enormous lift. The dressing room was very lively and excited at the end, and you want it to be like that.”

Buttler kept his nerve and composure to get England over the line after coming in with his side struggling and looking beaten on 144 for six.

Clint McKay’s stunning hat-trick left Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root embarrassed when England set out to chase down Australia’s 227 all out.

Vice-captain George Bailey hit 87 to ensure Australia had set England a decent target but it was in the balance until Buttler’s big hitting performance.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2013.

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