EOIN MORGAN WANTS to captain England in next year’s Twenty20 World Cup but says he “needs more time” to reflect after a back injury.
Morgan led England as hosts as they won the Cricket World Cup, beating New Zealand in a classic final at Lord’s last month.
But his future is uncertain in the aftermath of that success, while he has been battling a back injury that dogged him through the 50-over tournament.
Morgan is keen to continue in the limited-overs leadership role but will first take some time to consider his options, determined he will only captain the side if he is physically fit.
“I need more time to think, that’s the honest answer,” he told the BBC’s Test Match Special. “It’s a big decision, a big commitment.
“Given the injury that I went through in the World Cup, I need time to get fully fit. “I actually need the season to end pretty soon so I can have that time to physically get fit and guarantee that it’s not an injury risk between this year and next, and then I’ll be able to make a call on that.”
Asked if he wanted to skipper the side, Morgan added: “Absolutely. Who doesn’t?
“I just don’t want to let anybody down. When you lead, you have to lead from the front and you have to be physically fit.
“Finding form is another thing. Hopefully, that works itself out.”
Who will be on the plane to Japan? Bernard Jackman joins Murray and Gavan to map out the Irish depth chart. We also rank the best national anthems, and Murray sits down with Peter O’Mahony.
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
They don’t make any Paul McGraths anymore!
David Luiz doesn’t look like the first cousin of a defender…
It’s not that defenders are overated, I’d say the likes of Kompany Thiago Silva and Lahm are rather underrated. People prefer to see ball playing centre backs but then hang these players out to dry when there’s defensive problems. There is definitely a shift in how they play but if you teach a dog to chase a ball will he be able to climb a tree? If you teach a defender to be skillful and use the ball efficiently can you expect him to put in tough tackles and be a defensive mind player? The game would do well to remember its roots and try and amend the lack of ‘no-nonsense’ defenders
The best defensively set up team out there has to be Atletico Madrid. Simeone has organisation drilled into every player who starts, particularly in the back line. Can anyone name a better defender at defending than Diego Godin?
Great article.
I’ll hand it to Paul, this was a good article.
Cannavaro had it all. He was irrational at times, but by god, he was brilliant.
On the one hand – the hard men at centre back was a great facet to the game.
On the other hand – Feck it, more goals per game.
I just wonder if the ever-decreasing tolerance for physicality in the game has simply lead to these types not being considered by scouts and coaches, in lieu of ball-players that’ll make defenders.
Good article, the all-nonsense David Luiz made me laugh.
I always loved Alessandro Nesta. A God of a defender!
Best article I’ve read here in a while…..Bravo!
Brilliant insight, had never thought of the Brazil/arsenal comparison.
I started reading this. I’m not long out if bed and a bit tired. Then I scrolled down and there was alot to read. So I stopped.