![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/m/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}
Last week at the SCG, with Sydney Thunder needing five runs from the last ball to beat the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, the 2015-16 champions had the perfect man on strike. England's one-day captain Eoin Morgan is as calm-headed as they come, a cricketer who has proven time after time that in a run chase, he can deliver when needed. As the delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus soared over the boundary for a maximum and a Thunder win, Morgan's value to England in one-day cricket was clear.
Yet his place as captain and batsman has been questioned because of his decision to skip the three One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh before Christmas due to security concerns. It was called 'disappointing' by England's Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss and some saw it as an abdication of duty, others that it was hypocritical of him to miss the tour yet accept lucrative T20 contracts in the subcontinent.
Not that the fuss has bothered Morgan, a singular and individual personality who knows his own mind and is determined to do what he thinks best. Last season, he missed an ODI against Ireland to complete his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, a contentious decision which again provoked criticism. But Morgan thought that it would serve his game better to stay in India. Selfish? Maybe.
But Morgan does what Morgan thinks is best.
As a captain, that is a strength and has been a prominent reason why England have flourished under him after a shaky start. During the last 50-over World Cup, England were playing a staid, bland type of one-day cricket and Morgan wasn't leading true to his aggressive nature. Their exit at the group stage convinced him to follow his instincts and since then, England have played Morgan's way: aggressively, no holds barred and streetwise.
Which is why he was always going to return to lead England for the three ODIs and three Twenty20 games against India, preparations for which start with a practice game against India A in Mumbai on Tuesday (December 10). Strauss knows that Morgan's leadership has helped bring out the best in England's one-day players and that he is a key ingredient as they target the Champions Trophy later this summer at home and the World Cup in 2019, also to be held in England.
Whether the decision to miss the Bangladesh tour will have any effect on the team dynamic is as yet unclear. From the supportive messages posted by his teammates on social media at the time, it appears his relationship with the players remains strong and if England keep up their improvement it is likely to be quickly forgotten. If the India series goes poorly, perhaps then questions will be asked.
For his part, Morgan told The Times this week that he had no regrets about his choice. Since becoming permanent captain in December 2014, England have won 20 of the 40 ODIs Morgan has led and nine of the 15 T20 games. As ever, those stats only tell so much of the story. England's improvement since the start of the 2015 home summer tactically, in the depth of their white ball squad and in their free spirited approach to the one-day game has been astronomical.
Under Morgan's leadership, England have broken records galore. Last August, they scored the highest ever score in the history of ODI cricket, 444 for 3, against Pakistan. Out of England's eight scores of 350 or over in their ODI history, six of those have come since Morgan took over as permanent captain of the one-day teams. Alongside the influence of coach Trevor Bayliss, the Irishman has been the key reason for this change in approach.
As to Morgan's own form, 2016 was a struggle in both ODIs, averaging 29.81 from 15 matches with just two half-centuries, and T20s where his average of 21.87 and strike rate of 117.44 were well down on his career stats. Yet overall as captain, he averages just shy of 40 in ODIs and the two half centuries for the Thunder in the Big Bash have him heading to India in better form. Despite the claims of Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings, for now, Morgan remains one of England's premier one-day batsmen.
His captaincy should entitle him to more leeway on the batting front anyway. His leadership influence cannot easily be measured in runs or wickets but just as the impact of Ben Stokes should take into account his batting, bowling and fielding, Morgan's worth to the side must include his captaincy as well as his batting. He is, in effect, an all-rounder and whilst his batting needs an uptick in form, there is nothing to suggest his on or off-field leadership is in question.
It is a year where Morgan will be called upon to deliver in all aspects of his role. Strauss has set England a target of winning a global one-day competition by 2019 and the first half of the year will be dominated by white ball cricket. They have the India tour, then three one-day matches in the West Indies before two games against Ireland and three matches against South Africa at home before the Champions Trophy. As preparation for that competition goes, they could hardly ask for better but expectation is also heightened.
Despite the reservations of some, Morgan will rightly begin the year as captain. The India tour will enable him to reacquaint himself with international cricket, re-take charge of his team and start the team's preparations for a vital six months. Much is expected of England this year and as his last ball six at the SCG proved, when he is needed, Morgan usually delivers. England will certainly need him in 2017.
Yet his place as captain and batsman has been questioned because of his decision to skip the three One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh before Christmas due to security concerns. It was called 'disappointing' by England's Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss and some saw it as an abdication of duty, others that it was hypocritical of him to miss the tour yet accept lucrative T20 contracts in the subcontinent.
Not that the fuss has bothered Morgan, a singular and individual personality who knows his own mind and is determined to do what he thinks best. Last season, he missed an ODI against Ireland to complete his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, a contentious decision which again provoked criticism. But Morgan thought that it would serve his game better to stay in India. Selfish? Maybe.
But Morgan does what Morgan thinks is best.
As a captain, that is a strength and has been a prominent reason why England have flourished under him after a shaky start. During the last 50-over World Cup, England were playing a staid, bland type of one-day cricket and Morgan wasn't leading true to his aggressive nature. Their exit at the group stage convinced him to follow his instincts and since then, England have played Morgan's way: aggressively, no holds barred and streetwise.
Which is why he was always going to return to lead England for the three ODIs and three Twenty20 games against India, preparations for which start with a practice game against India A in Mumbai on Tuesday (December 10). Strauss knows that Morgan's leadership has helped bring out the best in England's one-day players and that he is a key ingredient as they target the Champions Trophy later this summer at home and the World Cup in 2019, also to be held in England.
Whether the decision to miss the Bangladesh tour will have any effect on the team dynamic is as yet unclear. From the supportive messages posted by his teammates on social media at the time, it appears his relationship with the players remains strong and if England keep up their improvement it is likely to be quickly forgotten. If the India series goes poorly, perhaps then questions will be asked.
For his part, Morgan told The Times this week that he had no regrets about his choice. Since becoming permanent captain in December 2014, England have won 20 of the 40 ODIs Morgan has led and nine of the 15 T20 games. As ever, those stats only tell so much of the story. England's improvement since the start of the 2015 home summer tactically, in the depth of their white ball squad and in their free spirited approach to the one-day game has been astronomical.
Under Morgan's leadership, England have broken records galore. Last August, they scored the highest ever score in the history of ODI cricket, 444 for 3, against Pakistan. Out of England's eight scores of 350 or over in their ODI history, six of those have come since Morgan took over as permanent captain of the one-day teams. Alongside the influence of coach Trevor Bayliss, the Irishman has been the key reason for this change in approach.
As to Morgan's own form, 2016 was a struggle in both ODIs, averaging 29.81 from 15 matches with just two half-centuries, and T20s where his average of 21.87 and strike rate of 117.44 were well down on his career stats. Yet overall as captain, he averages just shy of 40 in ODIs and the two half centuries for the Thunder in the Big Bash have him heading to India in better form. Despite the claims of Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings, for now, Morgan remains one of England's premier one-day batsmen.
His captaincy should entitle him to more leeway on the batting front anyway. His leadership influence cannot easily be measured in runs or wickets but just as the impact of Ben Stokes should take into account his batting, bowling and fielding, Morgan's worth to the side must include his captaincy as well as his batting. He is, in effect, an all-rounder and whilst his batting needs an uptick in form, there is nothing to suggest his on or off-field leadership is in question.
It is a year where Morgan will be called upon to deliver in all aspects of his role. Strauss has set England a target of winning a global one-day competition by 2019 and the first half of the year will be dominated by white ball cricket. They have the India tour, then three one-day matches in the West Indies before two games against Ireland and three matches against South Africa at home before the Champions Trophy. As preparation for that competition goes, they could hardly ask for better but expectation is also heightened.
Despite the reservations of some, Morgan will rightly begin the year as captain. The India tour will enable him to reacquaint himself with international cricket, re-take charge of his team and start the team's preparations for a vital six months. Much is expected of England this year and as his last ball six at the SCG proved, when he is needed, Morgan usually delivers. England will certainly need him in 2017.
![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/s/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}
