There will not be too many surprises when England announces its playing eleven for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff. However, Eoin Morgan, who scored rather heavily in the tour match between the British Lions and the Sri Lankan team, is happy playing IPL 4 if he does not get a berth in the England Test team.
eoin morgan plays a shot for england
Morgan returned to England from his trip to India, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, but seems just as happy to board a flight back to feature for his team in the IPL 4 playoffs.
Just to clarify Morgan is not trading in his whites. The England selectors and the team management have a task on hand. The problem has arisen with the retirement of Paul Collingwood during the Ashes down under. With that, there is strong competition between Ravi Bopara and Morgan for the vacant final spot in England's batting line up.
Ravi Bopara hit the headlines before the IPL 4 season for reportedly turning down an IPL offer in order to play for Essex during England's country cricket season. The reasoning was obvious - Bopara wanted to be under the nose of the England and Wales Cricket Board, continue to play and shine with the hope that he would be the one picked for a comeback into the team. It may be remembered that Bopara lost his place in the team to Ian Bell.
On the other hand, Eoin Morgan has been a star on the rise. In the tour match, he missed a double century but proved amply that he was ready for Sri Lanka if given the opportunity. But he is also clear that he will not be sitting around idly if he will not feature in the playing eleven. Morgan has apparently convened for the benefit of all concerned that should he not make the playing eleven for the first England v Sri Lanka Test in Cardiff, he wants to join his IPL 4 team.
It is interesting that on the one hand, Morgan has made the runs to justify a case for himself but also, is pitching himself as amenable to use the fall back options. It is a conundrum because there is a perception that his thoughts of not sticking around but rather playing in the IPL 4 if the England opportunity is not given to him may not be what the England selectors had in mind.
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