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Eoin Morgan is a doubt for England's second T20 against New Zealand after jarring his back in the field during their 40-run win in Auckland
on Saturday. Morgan, who was England's top scorer with 46 from 26 balls
and took a brilliant running catch to dismiss Brendon McCullum, tweaked
his back later in the New Zealand innings.
The team have moved on to Hamilton, venue for the second T20 on Tuesday,
and the England management will assess Morgan's fitness on Monday. If
he is unable to train, Morgan's place in the side is likely to be taken
by Joe Root, who came on as a substitute fielder in Auckland.
Losing Morgan would leave England without one of their most experienced
T20 players as they look to secure the three-match series with a game to
spare. Morgan has played 33 times in T20 internationals, putting him
sixth for England, with Stuart Broad and the rested Kevin Pietersen
among those above him. The most-capped England batsman in the shortest
form, however, is Luke Wright, who has played 40 times since his debut in 2007.
Wright joined Alex Hales in making 99, the highest score by an
Englishman in T20 cricket, at the World Twenty20 in September. In the
first New Zealand T20, Wright hit four sixes in a blistering 20-ball 42,
confirming his value at No. 3, and then picked up a useful 2 for 29
with the ball.
With Ashley Giles recently installed as England's limited-overs coach,
Wright hopes his consistent T20 form since a recall last year can also
push him into Giles' thoughts for the ODI team. "I have huge ambitions
to get back in the one-day side," he said. "It's something I'm desperate
to do.
"I've just got to keep knocking on the door, and keep badgering Gilo and
saying 'Look mate, I'm scoring runs - what have I got to do?' If
there's a spot for me, I hope he'll pick me. If there isn't, I can't do
much else. Maybe come the end of the tour, it might be something I could
sit down and have a chat with him about, to find out what he wants to
see from me or where I can improve and give myself better chances to get
in."
The Champions Trophy is a major target for England this year and much of
the preferred XI is in place. However, with a technically adept top
three of Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott followed by the
power of Pietersen and Morgan, England could do with an allrounder to
help balance the side. Wright's ODI bowling average of 57.53 weighs
against him but, with Tim Bresnan undergoing further elbow surgery and
the likes of Chris Woakes unproven, he could still make a case for his
inclusion.
"It's quite tough obviously at the top of the order - with KP, Cookie,
Belly and Trotty to come back in," Wright said of his ODI chances. "But
I'd like to come into that middle order if there's no role for me at the
top, and obviously my bowling might help. Batting at number three [in
T20], I'm getting a key role in an England side - a responsibility that
gives me a lot of confidence, and it's great to repay that faith."
Wright and Morgan helped England to their record T20 total in Auckland
and with the small boundaries at Seddon Park - scene of the fastest T20 hundred,
by Richard Levi a year ago - the next match could be another
high-scoring one. New Zealand will have allrounders Ian Butler and Grant
Elliott to choose from, after they were passed fit, and may be tempted
to make changes.
The game will provide another opportunity for Ross Taylor to continue
his international comeback. Mike Hesson, New Zealand's coach, was
pleased to have the batsman available again, although he agreed with
Taylor's assessment
of their relationship, after a controversial change in the captaincy.
"It was certainly good to have him back," Hesson said. "I think 'work in
progress' is a good term. We're working well together ... and the
longer we do that the better that relationship will be. But it's going
to take a while before we're going out for coffee every week."
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
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