We showed lot of character: Morgan
First Published : 23 Dec 2012, 03:05
Last Modified : 23 Dec 2012, 03:07
After Alastair Cook did it in the Tests, it was Eoin Morgan’s time to turn things around for the England team with a captain’s knock. Skippering the side in the two T20Is in the absence Stuart Broad, Morgan played a match-winning innings to take England across the line in a thrilling last-ball finish in the second game of the two-match series. Chasing a competitive total, England needed nine runs off the last over with Morgan and Jos Buttler at the crease. With three runs required off the last ball, Morgan hit Ashoke Dinda for a six to seal a six-wicket win over India at the Wankhede Stadium.
After losing to the home team in Pune, the visitors came back to level the series 1-1, before heading back home for Christmas.
In a brief interview with bcci.tv after the match, Man-of-the-Match, Morgan who remained unbeaten on 49 reflected on the game.
Excerpts:
On whether England is making a habit of coming back and winning matches after losing the first game
It was fantastic. The character that the guys showed today after being beaten the other day it was everything myself and the coaching staff and the backroom staff asked of them; and to produce a performance like this is magnificent.
On the last over and what was happening before the last ball
It took quite a while to bowl it [the last ball]. I was just thinking in my head to keep it as simple as possible.
On what was going through his mind before hitting the last ball for a six
I was just thinking of just backing myself [and] if it lands anywhere in my hitting area, [then] hopefully I will get it away and I managed to do it in the end.
On the 60-run partnership between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni
They played really well. A partnership like that with two world-class players to get in [and play like the way they did] and [it took a] guy like Tim Bresnan to restrict them at the end. He bowled fantastically. And then to get those wickets, we finished [the innings] on a high.
On what they were hoping to restrict the opposition to after opting to bowl
The par score was about 160, so we were quiet happy to chase down anywhere between 160-170 runs.
On Luke Wright claiming the key wickets of Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh
He did, which was great. He was fantastic. He played two great roles in these two games and he is a great asset for us.
On whether this win gives them momentum going into the ODI series
Yes, I think so, and a fresh break will make everybody that much hungrier to come back in the New Year and win the one-day series.
