Former sailor Ryan Sidebottom helped England reach T20 glory in 2010 and says Eoin Morgan has every chance of pursuing victory in the 50-year-old World Cup trophy with a second world title; England will kick off the campaign against the West Indies on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event
England captain Eoin Morgan in action during Wednesday’s preparation match between England and New Zealand
Eoin Morgan could claim to be the best captain in England history if he lifts the ICC T20 World Cup, says his former teammate Ryan Sidebottom.
Morgan’s leadership has transformed England from more than 50 failures in 2015 to 2019 World Cup champions and his team will begin their bid to claim a second ICC world title in as many years when they face the West Indies on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
England kicks off the tournament as the ICC’s top-ranked T20 team and Sidebottom, a key part of the team that won the competition in 2010, says more silver titles could elevate Morgan’s achievements above former captains Mike Brearley, Michael Vaughan or Sir Andrew Strauss. .
“He would be arguably the best captain England has ever had, in terms of global success and what he has brought to England’s unit,” said Sidebottom.
“All those great captains were fantastic coaches and that’s the beauty of Morgy, he brings out the best in every player. You can clearly see that they love to play for him. He knows them from the inside out, how they feel in the day and what they feel like. they need at all times.
“You can see what a reassuring influence he is: he never gets nervous, never shakes his head or shrugs. He’s always cold under pressure, whatever happens, and I think that rubs off on his bowlers in particular. .
“When you have a captain backing you up, it means a lot to a player, whether it’s your first game or your 100th game. He talks very, very well, he knows how he wants his players to be perceived and there is his hitting style.
“With everything he brings to the table, could he be the best captain England has ever had? Definitely.”
Seamer Sidebottom played a key role in England’s triumphant Caribbean campaign in 2010, with England favoring the variety offered by their left arm angle.
Morgan, who was also on that team more than a decade ago, has two left gunsmiths at his disposal in the form of David Willey and Tymal Mills, and Sidebottom says that variety increases England’s chances.
“That variation at the top of the order and at death is huge,” he said. “It makes it a lot harder for hitters.
“I think England have seen lefties become one of the best options in competitions around the world and now they are using it more regularly. You have Dave Willey, a true wicket taker in the power play, and Tymal is someone from England I’ve been crying out for.
“He has different kinds of skills, from 90 mph to a big switch and he’s going to be a big part of this England lineup. There are definite similarities between this team and ours in the style of cricket, but they are so much better, stronger. and more athletic than us.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if England won the trophy. It would be amazing after the last few years with Covid and everything else, to win another world tournament and get that wellness factor back.”
Watch England kick off their ICC T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event starting at 2.30pm on Saturday.
