Morgan savours Australia hundred

Eoin Morgan celebrates after leading England to a crucial win over Australia

England batsman Eoin Morgan has spoken of his pride after his match-winning performance in yesterday's NatWest Series opener against Australia.

The 23-year-old, who has established himself as England's finisher since making his debut last year, cracked 103 not out to lead his side to a convincing four-wicket win at the Rose Bowl.

And he believes hard work off the pitch is the main reason for his success on it.

“Playing against such a big side like Australia, and given the circumstances, I was quite proud of myself,” he said.

“I've had a small run of form recently and that's what happens, you hit it into the places you want to.

“When everybody goes through a run of form, they seem to hit the gaps rather than the fielders. I've learned with experience. I've batted at four and five for a long time and been in different situations.

“I've made plenty of mistakes and, over the last couple of years, I've learned to give myself a lot more time.

“I've worked on the power-hitting and the longer I stay at the crease the more I give myself a chance. I do put in a hell of a lot of hard work. I do a lot of work in my own time and with guys I like to work with.

“That's taking nothing away from England, I work quite hard with (team director) Andy Flower and the other senior players within the side.”

Morgan's century, which is his second in his last three one-day internationals, is the latest in an ever-growing list of important knocks he has played since breaking on to the scene.

But he does not believe he would be able to produce the same level of consistency if he did not have good players around him.

“Winning, being there at the end and winning. That's a great feeling of satisfaction.
“The guys around me complement me and I thoroughly enjoy it. With KP (Kevin Pietersen) and Colly (Paul Collingwood) in the sort of nick they've been in, it's fantastic.
“Then there's Wrighty (Luke Wright) coming in behind me and once we got in yesterday, we knew we could clear the ropes at the end so we weren't particularly worried about run rates.

“We have a fantastic group of players at the moment and a great atmosphere in the changing room, and confidence is very high.

“We should cash in a bit more.”

Pietersen, of course, is perhaps still England's most naturally-gifted batsman and could end up playing with Morgan in county cricket at some stage, having left Hampshire because he does not like the commute from his Chelsea home.

Surrey and Morgan's club Middlesex seem the only feasible alternatives and the idea of Pietersen arriving for training at Lord's appears to find favour with his England team-mate.

“I'd love to have him in the Middlesex camp. If he ever came to Middlesex that would be great,” he added.