ICC World Cup is all set to begin from May 30 in England where the host is one of the favourites. Moreover, their captain Eoin Morgan also thinks that they have done everything they possibly could do to keep themselves fit for the upcoming mega event. However, they had a rather forgettable 2015 World Cup where they lost in the first round as well. But they are currently in good form and beat Pakistan by 4-0 in a five-match ODI series where the first game was abandoned. Moreover, their World cup kit has also been launched yesterday after they unveiled their 15-man squad.
“Our exceptional days are better than we could have imagined — the world records etc — I could never have seen those at the start of 2015,” said Morgan. “That expectation has shifted with level of performance.”
“It’s a huge opportunity, we’re looking to express ourselves and continue to play as we have in the last four years. The other one is to inspire the next generation of cricketers to come into the game and pick up a ball and a bat, hopefully, come out of the tournament worshipping one of the guys in our team,” he added.
“We’d like to start playing tomorrow,” said Morgan. “We’ve had some really good preparation against Pakistan, I don’t think could have gone better, chopping and changing. Everyone just wants to get on with the tournament,” he added further.
Read here: David Willey absolutely disappointed after missing out the World Cup
Jofra Archer has been included in the squad in place of David Willey. Archer’s selection was not a surprise as he has been in a great form for the last couple of month but Willey’s exclusion came as a surprise as he has also been in good form.
While talking about Willey’s omission, Morgan said, “It’s simply because over the course of the tournament we need to cover all possible cases with the squad and the fact we have three frontline bowlers (Archer, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett) who all take the new ball affected that decision.”
“I spoke to Dave and Joe last night and obviously said longer term, with the length of the tournament we are likely to get injuries – they are next in line, no doubt about that. I still see them playing a part in our World Cup campaign. It is but a tough decision had to be made and hopefully the right one for the squad,” Morgan added.
“Jofra has come in and done exactly what he’s been doing for Sussex and other franchise teams around the world. I think he’s come on in the games he’s played. If he continues to improve throughout his career, he’s a very exciting prospect,” he said while talking about Jofra Archer.
The host will begin their World Cup campaign on the May 30 against South Africa in Kennington Oval, London.
