Eoin Morgan features in the unique list of players that not only have played ODIs for two countries but also represented them in World Cups. Irish-born Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan played 2007 World Cup for Ireland and thereafter shifted to play for England and participate in later World Cups adorning English jersey. Morgan had showcased his talent at very young age itself, being a member of Irish Under-19 World Cup team twice. Still he is the leading run scorer in the U19 World Cups with an aggregate of 606 runs from the two outings. But he had a clear goal in his mind –to play the test cricket. Ireland were not given test status at that time, hence to play for England was his only choice. He also has another unique achievement- to get out on 99 in his debut innings. He was quite dejected getting run-out just one run short of a well deserved century.
His trademark aggressive mindset and an inherent ability to hit big ones with ease and grace set him apart. There are very few who play horizontal bat shots as well as Morgan. This is what paved his way into English limited overs side and later into the test team as well. However he was meant for white ball cricket.
Morgan given England’s reign
After England’s poor performance in white ball cricket under Alastair Cook, the team’s captaincy was handed over to Morgan just months away from 2015 World Cup. The management, under Andrew Strauss certainly did not hope it to do wonders for them right away with the big tournament, but it was the start of a process. A process that involved trusting Captain Eoin Morgan and Coach Trevor Bayliss to get the best out of the team. They were given the freedom to persist with guys for prolonged period and back them in the way they wanted to play. Clearly it was needed to alter the old style of play and adapt to the current trends. Under Morgan, there was an obvious transformation noticed in England team. They had started to play a new fearless and aggressive brand of cricket. No matter the pitch, the situation or the opponent, they never backed down from their instinctive aggression. They even failed on some occasions but never left their belief in themselves and continued with the process.
As the time progressed, this bore fruits for the team. Once reeling in the bottom half of points table, England under Morgan, reached the pinnacle and finally had their hands on the coveted trophy that had been missing from their cabinet for so long. In all these victories Morgan has led from the front, his personal form has never been any better. He can also boast of hitting most number of international sixes as a skipper and also most number of sixes in an ODI innings- 17- during his 71-ball 148 against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2019.As Morgan turns 34 today, we wish he continues to entertain us all with his gameplay and aggressive captaincy and take England to further new heights.