“I think I’m still offering enough within the team. I love playing cricket right now for the dressing room, the guys give absolutely everything,” said Eoin Morgan after England lost to New Zealand by five wickets; watch Pakistan vs Australia live on Sky Sports on Thursday
Eoin Morgan takes his England team off the field after their T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand
Eoin Morgan hopes to get another shot at the T20 World Cup as England’s captain in Australia next fall after his team pulled out of this year’s edition in the semi-finals.
England lost a thrilling match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi by five wickets following a late attack by the Black Caps, but Morgan declared himself proud of his team for their actions both on and off the field.
The match was played against the background of tumult in Yorkshire following accusations of racism made by former club player Azeem Rafiq, but Morgan sees his diverse England as role models for the game.
When asked if he would like to continue as captain after England’s defeat, Morgan replied: “I hope so. I think I am still offering enough within the team. I love playing cricket right now for the locker room, the guys absolutely give. Those who are going to improve are at the forefront of change both on and off the field with many things to be proud of, not just on the field.
“So I am incredibly proud to be their leader.”
Morgan couldn’t blame his team for their efforts against New Zealand after they went 166-4 after being put at bat, then kept Kane Williamson’s team behind the run rate until Jimmy Neesham threw 27 of 11 balls. and Daryl Mitchell finished strong to finish. undefeated in 72 of 47 balls.
“Going into the game, we knew both sides were very close in skill and both played a great brand in cricket,” Morgan added. “All credit to Kane and his team, they beat us today. Unfortunately, in a tight game, we came out on the wrong side of the stick.”
“I cannot fault anything we have done tonight. We have fought incredibly hard during this tournament. I think we have represented ourselves very well and tonight we have continued to do the same and we have fallen short.”
“That can happen in cricket, but I am very proud of the guys, the way they have given absolutely everything during this tournament.
“I thought we were right in the game, from our innings until probably the 17th, after the 18th. They built until they had to push the button and then they went well. So their plan went wrong.
“I thought we had them in check and we had them exactly where we wanted them up to that point. So if you can do that, you give yourself the best chance of winning, but unfortunately we didn’t.”
Morgan admitted that the conditions hadn’t really suited England, though he praised the way Neesham handled them while changing the game.
“We are a six hit team and we like to hit six and we had a hard time getting six,” Morgan said. “I think it’s a very good indication of the wicket, potentially a bit of a two-beat, offering a bit for spinners, but we hold on.
“We changed the game plan, we adapted to the conditions and posted probably around an even score. So we felt good in the game midway. I think given the start we had, taking early terrain might not have been. better . “
On Neesham, he added: “Having the ability to come out and hit sixes from the first ball is something that not many people have. So all the credit to him, he kind of swayed the game in favor of the Black Caps.”
Williamson praised the “heart” of his team when they booked a match with Pakistan or Australia on Sunday.
He said: “We knew it was going to be a great game of cricket and it certainly turned out to be the case. It ebbed and flowed as they seem to often do. [when we play] against each other. But I was really glad of the heart that was shown throughout the performance.
“They had a pretty competitive total on the board at the midway stage, but just staying there, and obviously an outstanding entry from Daryl Mitchell at the top, and building those little partnerships and just trying to cash in on some little ones. moments and some clashes were really the difference. But a great game of cricket. “
Watch Pakistan play Australia in the T20 World Cup semi-final, in Dubai, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 1.30pm on Thursday.
