Filed under: Cricket, England Cricket, World Cup, ODIs
The bad news may not be so bad after all. Kevin Pietersen, below his punishing best lately in one-day cricket, is returning home for a hernia operation but the International Cricket Committee have sanctioned Eoin Morgan as his replacement. It could take England to the World Cup final.Morgan's loss before the tournament with a broken finger in Australia was a huge blow to England. Even more than Pietersen recently, he has proved a remarkable match-turner with his brutal hitting. By extension, therefore, his return now he is healed could prove a huge lift.
Not that England should need much of one after their win over South Africa. They do keep surprising us, either by disappointing or surpassing expectation.
The defeat by Holland, the tie with India ... the defeat by Ireland and the latest victory. It might tell of inconsistency but it also speaks volumes about how resilient is this team when confronted by adversity.
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It is all the more admirable when, after the emotional high of the Ashes series and the low of losing the one-day series Down Under, they had a ready excuse for failing.
Hitherto, England's batting had rescued them but the pleasing element against the South Africans was the bowlers this time bringing the win. It was especially good to see Graeme Swann turning the ball and Jimmy Anderson, after a wayward start to the tournament, finding his range along with Stuart Broad, who were not helped by the conditions but helped themselves. The only problem is Michael Yardy, who proved expensive. If England can work around that, they will surely progress from the group. They need just one win from their last two games against Bangladesh and West Indies.
Once into the quarter-finals, Morgan could come into his own. Should that happen, should England repeat the fielding improvement after their initial shambles and should the bowlers retain their form, then England have the look of finalists and even winners for the first time.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/03/07/eoin-morgans-arrival-can-more-than-make-up-for-kevin-pietersen/
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