Mumbai – England skipper Eoin Morgan on Tuesday hoped that his bowlers will execute their plans against the West Indies batsmen when the two sides meet in the Super 10 Group 1 clash in the World Twenty20 cricket tournament here on Wednesday.
The West Indies have a destructive batting line-up starting with opener Chris Gayle and followed by Johnson Charles, middle-order batsmen Andre Fletcher, Marlon Samuels and all-rounders Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell.
England’s seam bowling comprising Liam Plunkett, Reece Topley and David Willey make a good trio in the department, alongside spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.
“There are a number of dangerous players in the West Indies side, they have been a strong side in the past. As I said there are a number of individuals who are very strong. I think for us as a young and talented side is to focus on what we do best and execute that as part of anything. There are plans in place, ultimately we have to execute them,” Morgan said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
The 2010 World T20 winners defeated New Zealand and Mumbai Cricket Association XI comfortably in the two warm-up games ahead of the competition and will start their campaign as one of the favourites.
“Yes it has been a good week. We have got two good games of cricket and one competitive super over. But overall it is good feeling and playing facilities have been pretty good. We have also put in couple of performance which has given us lot of confidence,” the left-handed batsmen said.
Openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales looked in fine touch in the practice matches for England and will be a keen to give the side a good start against the Windies.
“We have a strong squad of 15 at the moment, specially coming into this tournament, because the team will chance with time as we move from Mumbai to Delhi and potentially on from there. I think the best 11 will be selected looking into the conditions,” he said.
The 29-year-old stressed that gaining momentum at the start of the tournament is an important factor.
“It is important to gain momentum as early as possible in the tournament that is a very important factor, because T20 is very funny in regards to confidence and momentum, it is very easy when you have it, but when you try to gain it back it can be a different challenge,” the skipper said.
“I think the way we started this trip we have built a lot of confidence and we are really in a good place mentally. So I think as long as we execute our goals and plans like we normally do, we will be in a stable position going into any tournament, regardless of what it is it is.”
“It is about playing your best game, pacing yourself along the way and putting in the performance when it really matters. First game is a tough game we do agree with that,” Morgan concluded.
