England, who had slumped to 45-5, chased down a revised target of 192 in 26 overs with six balls to spare after a lengthy rain delay prior to their innings. PHOTO: AFP
CHESTER-LE-STREET: England ODI captain Eoin Morgan hopes the feel-good factor generated by his side’s limited overs series win against New Zealand will carry on into next month’s Ashes series.
A miserable first-round exit at this year’s World Cup, and a subsequent 1-1 Test series draw away to the West Indies, left many England supporters fearful of the fate that might befall their side against Australia.
But there were encouraging signs during the recent 1-1 Test series draw with New Zealand, while the bold manner in which England played during a dramatic 3-2 one-day triumph over the Black Caps reinvigorated players and fans alike.
“I think there is a great feel-good factor going around cricket at the moment and it started with the Test series against New Zealand, which was very competitive,” said Morgan.
“Let’s hope going into the Ashes we can maintain that support throughout the summer and it makes a contribution to the result,” added the former Ireland batsman, not currently involved in England’s Test set-up. Also on the ‘outside looking in’, for the time being at least is Riverside match-winner Jonny Bairstow.
The Yorkshireman was only called into England’s one-day squad on Friday after fellow wicket-keeper Jos Buttler suffered a hand injury during fielding practice.
Bairstow marked his unexpected return to England duty with an unbeaten 83 in a three-wicket win under the Duckworth/Lewis method.
England, who had slumped to 45-5, chased down a revised target of 192 in 26 overs with six balls to spare after a lengthy rain delay prior to their innings.
McCullum coy over one-day future
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said he would take some time to decide on his ODI future after the loss in England.
The 33-year-old McCullum has a longstanding back complaint and there has been speculation that, after 254 matches at this level, he could miss New Zealand’s limited overs-only tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in August with the aim of giving heir apparent Kane Williamson more captaincy experience.
Having led New Zealand to a maiden World Cup final on March 29 where they suffered a seven-wicket defeat by Australia in Melbourne, McCullum may decide he has few more peaks left to climb in the one-day game.
“I don’t know. We’ll wait and see,” said McCullum when asked about his one-day future. “We’ll let the dust settle on this. It’s been a great year, an incredible summer for us.
“We’ve scaled some heights that hadn’t been done before by our country and we’re starting to build a soul to how we play.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2015.
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