It’s a measure of how far things have moved in Eoin Morgan’s world that he probably won’t remember his first involvement in World Cup action.
Yet it happened all of 14 years ago in Dublin when he was part of the Ireland team which lost out to Scotland in the ICC Trophy.
I was there for the event, which provided starkly contrasting fortunes for the victors and the vanquished. After paving an impressive route to the final in Clontarf, the Scots, boosted by 94 from Ryan Watson and half centuries from Dougie Brown and Fraser Watts posted an imposing 324 for 8.
During the interval, and some wonderful food and hospitality from our Irish hosts, there was plenty of talk about the pressure on two Ireland batsmen: Ed Joyce and the aforementioned Morgan who was just 18, but tipped as a “real star”.
In the event, it was a little anti-climactic. The teenage prodigy was trapped lbw for just 4 by Paul Hoffmann and the Scots eased their way to a 47-run victory as they recorded their seventh successive win in the Associate competition.
Yet, if you fast forward 14 years almost to the day – Scotland won the ICC event on July 13 – it just shows how sporting fortunes can change.
Morgan, at 32, is riding high on the crest of a wave and his England teammates are odds-on favourites to lift the World Cup for the first time in their history when they meet New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.
The little Irishman, blessed with a fantastic instinctive ability – boosted by his hockey background – is just one of a string of world-class performers, alongside Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer who will be expected to win the World Cup on Sunday at Lord’s.
Does it matter that Roy was born in Durban, Stokes in Christchurch, and Archer in Bridgetown, Barbados? Not at all in cricket’s cosmopolitan sphere. England have benefited from the blossom of other countries.
As Morgan told me later: “We take every game very seriously.” I asked if that wasn’t just a cliche and there was a pause.
Then: “ Well Neil, if it’s a cliche, it’s your cliche, not mine.” Touché!
New Zealand should never be written off. They have two of the best batsmen in cricket history in Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor and, although Martin Guptill has struggled in the tournament so far, he is a mighty threat in his pomp.
They’re a bits and pieces team, but Trent Boult is a terrific bowler, Matt Henry occasionally rips through rivals, and Mitchell Santner…now there’s the thing. I have a feeling about this excellent spinner in the final. He might make the difference.
But it’s difficult to bet against England and Morgan lifting the World Cup at the home of cricket tomorrow.
