Eoin Morgan Re-Defines Batting
Irishman Eoin Morgan is pioneering new batting strokes in such an audacious manner that he is drawing comparison with some of the game’s most famous names.
Sri Lanka’s Tillekeratne Dilshan patented ‘the Dilscoop’ with his remarkable shots over the wicket-keeper’s head in the last ICC Twenty20 World Cup. This time, it is the turn of the diminutive Dublin left-hander to make his name, by opening up 360 degrees of the field with his versatile play.
London County Founder, Dr WG Grace, pioneered back foot play, while one of London County’s other Cricketing Greats, Ranjitsinhji, was the pioneer of ‘the leg glide’. When players display the kind of creativity needed to play ‘differently’, others (initially) can be scornful. However, this soon turns to admiration once the majority ‘catch up’ with the the more innovative and radical thinkers, who are prepared to push the boundaries, and make a big contribution to the game’s evolution.
Morgan’s remarkable batting first captured the headlines this time last year in a match at Canterbury for Middlesex against Kent, televised by Sky Sports. His team-mate. Nick Compton, was also a century-maker. Compton’s superb innings was full of sumptuous drives and the kind of powerful sweeps which his famous grand-father, the legendary Denis, once deployed to exasperate bowlers in the aftermath of World War Two. However, it was Morgan’s reverse-sweeping and switch-hitting, rather than Compton’s century, which dominated the headlines and meant that a future star was now on everyone’s radar as an emerging player of immense talent.
Limited involvement with England’s inconsistent showing in the ICC World Twenty20 in England last season meant that until the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa last September, the international stage had yet to witness Morgan’s unique skills. His performances were eye-catching on South Africa’s Highveld, where the ball travels quickly through the rarefied air, and in England’s ODI’s v South Africa, Morgan’s form, couple dwith a more aggressive intention from the team, suggested a possible transformation in England’s play was under way. This was followed by a ‘Michael Bevan-like’ match-winning innings under pressure in Bangladesh to win a One Day International in February. A new Sports TV programme would reveal ‘Ireland’s got Talent’, as Morgan may be the second of more players to excel in English colours after Ed Joyce’s century in Australia to help win the ODI Triangular CB Series in 2007.
IPL involvement with Royal Challengers Bangalore enhanced his education this winter, and further success in West Indies by playing a key part in England’s renaissance as a credible one day cricket team can only add to his burgeoning profile.
Morgan’s eyes burn with passion, and his strokeplay reveals an ambitious and intelligent mind. Courage doesn’t only exist in the physical domain. It is also present in the mental domain. It takes courage to think differently, and more importantly, to develop the conviction to act on one’s original thinking. His flicks, deflections, sweeps, reverse sweeps and powerful driving over the infield, as well as the shot which takes good length balls on off stump over square leg for six, make Morgan’s batting compulsory viewing. His electric running between the wickets reveals an aggressive mindset and an athleticism honed for the modern game. With his creative play, he is re-defining batting in One Day Cricket.
‘Eoin Morgan breaks boundaries’ is a headline I hope to read more.
