There will not be any tears in the eyes of Eoin Morgan when he tosses up with his old sparring partner, William Porterfield, at Bristol on Friday or on Sunday at Lord’s, where they both started their professional careers a dozen years ago.
Back then Morgan was a novice on Middlesex’s books – and they saw a lot more of him in St John’s Wood in those days than they do now.
Authentic Andrew MacDonald Womens Jersey Porterfield, meanwhile, was on the Lord’s groundstaff. Even as young men they were old mates since they had played under-13s cricket together in Ireland.
Steely-eyed Morgan is famously clinical in his analysis. For him a match against Ireland is “pretty much another game” and he gave short shrift to any notion that he might one day return to Irish colours with an immediate and decisive monosyllable. Morgan, on a whistle-stop trip back to England from India – he goes back next week for two IPL matches – is more interested in the evolution of England’s one-day team and the pursuit of that elusive Champions Trophy in June.
Morgan was clear about England’s plans for their first series against Ireland.
http://www.officialflyersteamonline.com/Bernie_Parent_Jersey They have a squad of 14 players but it would be a major surprise if the two men who are not included in the Champions Trophy squad, Steven Finn and Ben Duckett, get a game. “We’ve got David Willey coming back, who’s played Championship cricket, Liam Plunkett is back from a calf injury and Mark Wood has obviously had quite a long, arduous stint back from injury. So getting cricket under those guys’ belts is really important.”
Morgan confirmed that Jonny Bairstow, fresh from cracking 174 for Yorkshire against Durham as an opening batsman, will bat at No5 and that Sam Billings will keep wicket. He went on to explain this does not mean that Billings is number two in the wicketkeeping pecking order for white-ball cricket after Jos Buttler.
Dirk Nowitzki Youth Jersey “We have long identified that this is an opportunity to have a look at Sam fulfilling a similar role to that of Jos.” He acknowledged Bairstow would also like to keep and that the Yorkshireman fully understands the situation.
Billings is in danger of becoming the ultimate cricketing supersub. He will bat anywhere, he can keep wicket and Morgan describes him as a “gun” fieldsman. He has done the rounds this winter, not just in the IPL but also the Big Bash and the Pakistan Super league. He is cheerfully realistic about his status with England even if he would like that to change. “As long as I’m playing I can’t be too picky. Just playing is the main thing,” he says.
Billings, who may also return to India depending on the fate of the Delhi Daredevils, made observations about the IPL which must be music to the ears of Andrew Strauss and Morgan. “The best thing about the IPL is you share a dressing room [with big names] and previously in this country we haven’t made one-day cricket a priority,”
http://www.mavericksteamonline.com/Harrison_Barnes_Jersey he said. “But now people are petrified of our side. And you only find that out by talking to them. [Ben] Stokes gets a hundred, three man of the match awards. Everyone knows what he can do. Then there is [Chris] Woakes and Buttler. Every single person over there has made contributions and it shows our depth at the moment.”
