Win over Scotland has eased pressure: Morgan
England captain revels in team’s first victory at the World Cup.
England’s winning margin of 119 was their highest, by runs, at a World Cup since they defeated East Africa by 196 runs in the inaugural 1975 tournament. PHOTO: REUTERS
CHRISTCHURCH:
England captain Eoin Morgan was a relieved man after they posted their first points in the World Cup with a 119-run victory over Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.
“A lot of positives to take from today,” said Morgan, playing down another unproductive batting effort from England’s middle-order.
England’s win was built around a 172-run partnership between openers Moeen Ali and Ian Bell, but the pace faltered after their dismissals in quick succession, with the innings ending at 303-8.
Ali produced a flamboyant 128 and Bell a composed 54, but behind them came Morgan with 46 and five scores of 10 and under.
England were 172 without loss after 30 overs but only managed 131-8 off their final 20.
“You always think you should get more than you should, but having been there for the last five overs, the wicket slowed up the older the ball got, and with the wind, as well, it made it difficult to find the boundary,” said left-hander Morgan.
Despite opening the tournament with two hidings, Morgan said he always knew the tide would turn for his side. “A win just puts things a little more at ease, and it gives guys a little bit of confidence,” he said.
The run of low scores from number three batsman Gary Ballance continued when he was out for 10 but Morgan denied that that was a concern.
Scotland had their own batting problems after reaching 114-3, anchored by 71 from Kyle Coetzer, and were all out for 184.
‘England remain vulnerable’
Scotland were beaten but not bowed with captain Preston Mommsen saying the result did not reflect the game.
“I thought we did brilliantly to restrict them to only 300 with
the platform they had,” he said. “Once we got rid of Bell and Ali, they were pretty vulnerable in the middle and we knew we could keep taking wickets which allowed us to restrict them to 300.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2015.
England captain Eoin Morgan was a relieved man after they posted their first points in the World Cup with a 119-run victory over Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.
“A lot of positives to take from today,” said Morgan, playing down another unproductive batting effort from England’s middle-order.
England’s win was built around a 172-run partnership between openers Moeen Ali and Ian Bell, but the pace faltered after their dismissals in quick succession, with the innings ending at 303-8.
Ali produced a flamboyant 128 and Bell a composed 54, but behind them came Morgan with 46 and five scores of 10 and under.
England were 172 without loss after 30 overs but only managed 131-8 off their final 20.
“You always think you should get more than you should, but having been there for the last five overs, the wicket slowed up the older the ball got, and with the wind, as well, it made it difficult to find the boundary,” said left-hander Morgan.
Despite opening the tournament with two hidings, Morgan said he always knew the tide would turn for his side. “A win just puts things a little more at ease, and it gives guys a little bit of confidence,” he said.
The run of low scores from number three batsman Gary Ballance continued when he was out for 10 but Morgan denied that that was a concern.
Scotland had their own batting problems after reaching 114-3, anchored by 71 from Kyle Coetzer, and were all out for 184.
‘England remain vulnerable’
Scotland were beaten but not bowed with captain Preston Mommsen saying the result did not reflect the game.
“I thought we did brilliantly to restrict them to only 300 with
the platform they had,” he said. “Once we got rid of Bell and Ali, they were pretty vulnerable in the middle and we knew we could keep taking wickets which allowed us to restrict them to 300.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2015.