Eoin Morgan says his England World Cup squad is “the most talented” he has been part of.
Morgan’s claim is a big one given he has been in England squads for six years, including the one which won the 2010 World Twenty20, and he has played in both the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League alongside a plethora of international stars.
Morgan, who was limited by injury to three games at the last World Cup, is itching to play in this tournament, his third World Cup after featuring in the 2007 one for Ireland.
“It’s certainly the most talented squad I've ever been a part of,” he said in a press conference ahead of an England training session at a sweltering Sydney Cricket Ground.
Scorching heat in Sydney & sprinting warm-up drills for the team #LoveEngland#CWC15https://t.co/1L0HD89QWT
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 7, 2015
“To get the opportunity to lead this group of players in a World Cup is huge. I didn’t get the chance to play in the whole of the last World Cup so, again, I’m really looking forward to it.”
England are in fine fettle ahead of their World Cup opener with Australia in front of an expected 90,000-crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Saturday.
Having reached the Tri-Series final via two wins over World Cup holders India, Morgan’s charges are acclimatised to Australian conditions.
“We're in good shape. We've had a very productive month or so,” Morgan added.
England lads getting stuck in to some bat signing now in Sydney #cwc15https://t.co/tfzDojrPNl
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2015
“We’ve got a lot out of playing against good opposition, particularly the games we've played against Australia.
“We’ve had a pretty good run of things over the last three months or so, their summer, so to test yourself in their conditions has been great practice.”
On England’s ambitions in Australia and New Zealand, the tournament co-hosts who are also England’s first two opponents, Morgan was unequivocal.
“We're here to win the World Cup. That's the bottom line,” he said.
“Like every other team we're here to get the best out of ourselves and us at our best we can win this World Cup.”