Published: Apr 04, 2016, 01:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 04, 2016, 01:34 PM (IST)
Proud skipper Eoin Morgan has backed England to bounce back from the pain of defeat to the West Indies in the final of cricket’s World Twenty20, saying his young side’s potential is “frightening”. Speaking after a dramatic last-over defeat, Morgan said England would leave India with heads held high after coming so close to glory, only a year after their first-round exit in the 50-over World Cup. And as he assessed the prospects of what was one of the youngest teams to have ever played for England, Morgan predicted the best was yet to come. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs West Indies, ICC World T20 2016, Final at Kolkata
“This is the beginning of something I hope is going to be special,” Morgan told reporters at the Eden Gardens stadium. “We have a great amount of talent to work with. Let’s hope we can keep this group of players together for a long time and look to the future.” While eight of the West Indies starting XI are thirty-somethings, none of Morgan’s team is over the age of 30 and all can expect to be in contention for the next 50-over World Cup, which England are hosting in 2019. Eoin Morgan: Ben Stokes devastated after hammering by Carlos Brathwaite in T20 World Cup 2016; England share his pain
The 29-year-old Morgan is the elder statesman in a formidable batting line-up that features the likes of Joe Root, Jason Roy and Jos Buttler who are all aged 25 and yet to reach their prime. “I hope in the future we have a lot more success. Personally, I think we will,” said Morgan. “This side is at the very beginning of its progression. It’s actually frightening to think what we can do if we achieve our potential.” Under Morgan’s captaincy, England have shed their reputation for conservatism in limited overs cricket and have instead been encouraged by their skipper to play “brash and aggressive” cricket.
