Want my players to embrace WT20 final: England captain Eoin Morgan

Kolkata,2 April। England captain Eoin Morgan said on Saturday he expects his cricketers to embrace the World Twenty 20 final where they will meet the West Indies at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

The 2010 champions have a chance to create history by becoming the first team to win the tournament twice. They regsitered a handsome victory over New Zealand in the first semi-final in Delhi.

"We are real about things, (it's) not going to be a normal game. In the semi-final, we played with a lot of expectations of being in the final and now I want my players to embrace it," Morgan told reporters here at the pre-match media conference.

"Tomorrow’s everything is going to be in a rush to start with, need to slow things down when needed. More importantly we need to execute the plans.” 

The skipper was also pleased about the fact that the otherwise flat wicket at Eden had a little bit of grass on the surface and said every member of the squad is fit for the clash.

“Everybody is fit for selection. Couple of guys were sick over the last few days but they are now okay. Everybody will train, I have had a look at the wicket yesterday, had a good covering of grass. It does look a good wicket. Nice to see a little grass,” he said.

Asked how much will the trophy mean to them, the skipper stated: “It will mean a huge amount. This will be a result of the hard work we put in the last few months.”

Morgan also stressed on the fact that they are not solely focusing on Chris Gayle, the burly West Indies batsman. He said the whole Caribbean outfit is a force to reckon with.

“Even before we played West Indies in the group stages I was quite firm about Gayle not being the only man, anyone can hurt you. When you are playing against quality sides, it isn’t about focusing on one or two players. You have to focus on the team as a whole. Look what Lendl Simmons did to India,” stated Morgan.

Jason Roy has been quite consistent at the England top order and smashed his way to a match winning 78 against New Zealand in the semi finals, speaking about the 25-year-old, the skipper said: ”Jason is an extremely positive player. He has grown with time. His style suits the brand of cricket we play. A lot of credit should be given to him. He has always played for the team, put his best for the team. And now on the big stage he is coming good.”

England have had a stark change in fortunes from their debacle at the 50-over World Cup last year where they exited the tourney from the group stages. Morgan says it has all been due to hard work and a positive mindset.

“Quite a stark difference (from the 50-over world Cup till now). Hard to ever imagine such a turn around and having such an immediate impact. But I have always believed of the talent in the dressing room, mindset has been key.

Tomorrow’s opportunity is a product of that. I am just very proud,” he said.

On questioned if West Indies have an advantage since they are ahead in terms of head-to-heads in T20Is, the skipper was quick to say,” Don’t think so. Two completely different teams. We have grown from strength to strength so you can’t compare.

The captain also praised his death bowlers. In the semi-finals against New Zealand they gave away just 20 runs of the last four overs.

“The death bowling confidence, it does. Last game 20 runs in four overs, they executed it well both (Chris) Jordan and (Ben)Stokes.”

He added if need be England were not afraid to try out left-arm spinner Liam Dawson.

Agency