Morgan ready for take-off

Eoin Morgan could follow in the footsteps of fellow Irishman Ed Joyce in representing England in one-day international matches

Eoin Morgan will have an advantage over most debutants when he makes his England bow - he already has 23 one-day international caps to his name.

The 22-year-old Middlesex batsman is vying for a spot in the batting order, having qualified for England last month after signing off his Ireland career with an unbeaten 84 to defeat Canada.

And with Kevin Pietersen withdrawn as a precaution with an Achilles problem, a place is up for grabs.

Morgan, who was spotted by Middlesex as a 15-year-old, has spent four years qualifying via residence, a period which even included him participating in the 2007 World Cup for Ireland.

"I hope my time with Ireland will help me settle in quickly," said Morgan. "If I hadn't played with them I am sure I would be saying it made no difference, but my time away at the World Cup, playing international cricket with them against the bigger nations, has helped me.

"I have some fantastic memories playing for them, and taken a lot from it.

"Staying at hotels with the likes of South Africa and Australia, when you're just 20, was quite a good experience.

"Just watching how teams operate gives you a big insight and a lot of confidence.

"I obviously didn't have a great time at the World Cup but I look to make that right now. I have certainly played a lot of cricket since then."

The left-hander was identified for his ability to improvise shots and manipulate the ball in mid-innings.

A former hurling player back in Dublin, he is an exponent of switching hands to reverse sweep and paddle into gaps, and has effectively patented his own shot - the 'change-up' - which is a dummy of a reverse sweep which he then hits down on behind square on the leg side.

Eoin Morgan has wowed crowds in this season's Friends Provident Trophy campaign with his willingness to improvise

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"Whenever I get in I look to express myself," he said. "I have always looked to do that throughout my career, especially in one-day cricket and Twenty20, and it's something I will look to continue to do.

"I once read an article which said you take the sport you play between the ages of nine and 12 along with you throughout your career.

"I played hurling at school when I was a youngster, and the natural grip of hurling is actually the reverse-sweep grip.

"Some people don't play like that and don't feel the need to play it but with the role I have in the one-day game I certainly feel it gives me an advantage.

"I started playing it one day, found it worked for me and it has got to the stage now where it works well.

"It scores me a hell of a lot of runs throughout the season.

"I have got out to it, and I have not perfected it yet but I will certainly continue to play it regardless."