JOIN US England are brimming with confidence following their thrilling five-run victory in the third and final ODI at Kolkata on Sunday. Captain Eoin Morgan hoped they would carry the momentum in the three-match T20 series, beginning here on Thursday.
“I think confidence is the big word in T20 cricket. Confidence and momentum. At the moment the guys are feeling a lot more confident than they were maybe after game two (at Cuttack). They did a lot of hard work but didn't get a win under their belt. We are looking forward to a three-match series in what potentially could be very exciting. It's a great place to play T20 cricket or cricket in general. So everybody is looking forward to it,” Morgan said.
The good news for England is their premier batsman Joe Root, who missed the last ODI due to a niggle, has recovered for the opening T20. However, David Willey, who flew in here on Wednesday, continues to nurse a sore left shoulder. Meanwhile, Morgan was excited with the addition of pacer Tymal Mills.
“I think he's had an absolutely fantastic winter on two fronts -- the levels of fitness he's shown with his previous injury. Its allowed him to play a lot of cricket, lot of T20 stuff which he's starting to specialise in. And to bowl at the pace he is, it's even better for us,” he said.
Reflecting on the ODI series, Morgan said: "Part and parcel of winning is improving skills along the way but reinforcing that you've done a good job in your skill is winning the game or at least winning one half of the game. So winning your batting innings or your bowling innings. But throughout the one-day series, we haven't put a complete performance together. We will be trying that with T20 cricket. Our guys aren't hugely experienced either. We came here last year with an inexperienced T20 team and got to the final. The attitude and desire to win isn't a problem.”