Eoin Morgan: England have proved we can deal with the pressure

The World Cup semi-finalist have risen to the challenge after back-to-back wins booked a top four spot

morgan030701-min

Take out a digital subscription with The Cricketer for just £1 for the first month

England have proven they have the stomach for the pressure of a World Cup after producing two fine victories to book a semi-final place, according to captain Eoin Morgan

The 119-run win over New Zealand at Chester-le-Street followed the success over India, confirming the hosts a place in the second knock-out game at Edgbaston on July 11.

Sri Lanka and Australia had previously beaten the pre-tournament favourites in back-to-back games to jeopardise their hopes of reaching the last four.

Despite having not lost a bilateral one-day series for two years coming into the tournament, Morgan says the comeback highlights his side's mental resolve.

VISIT THE WORLD CUP HUB

"I think we sort of knew that coming into the tournament, the difficult challenge in applying that to World Cup games is that it is just a one-off game," the Irishman explained.

"It lends itself more for you to be, whatever the way you play, it should be the extremity of that on the day because you don't get another chance and it's taken us time to get to grips with that, you know.

"We do stick to our mantra the whole time and not actually be cagey, or desperate, or anything in those sort of regards... It doesn't work for us and it won't win us the World Cup, so yeah."

With New Zealand having now lost three on the spin, India having been beaten by England at Edgbaston on Sunday and Australia far from their best, Morgan's men arguably approach their next round with all the momentum.

bairstow030701-min_1

Jonny Bairstow hit his second century in as many World Cup games

And he wants to see England use that impetus as they attempt to win their maiden world title.

"I think we do tap into what we have achieved the last two games," he added. "It's been extremely important to our campaign. 

"It is obviously the reason that we have got through and we have been able to play some of our best cricket because of that. 

"So tapping into that, identifying what we did well and if that still remains the same priority going into the semifinal, which I think it will."

Our coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is brought to you in association with Cricket 19, the official video game of the Ashes. Order your copy now at Amazon.co.uk

Comments

No comments received yet - Be the first!

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.