It is often stressed that experience is a crucial factor for success at the international level. It holds more significance especially in the slam-bang Twenty20 format where the match can tilt in the space of few balls
England skipper Eoin Morgan addresses the media in the city yesterday
It is often stressed that experience is a crucial factor for success at the international level. It holds more significance especially in the slam-bang Twenty20 format where the match can tilt in the space of few balls.
England skipper Eoin Morgan addresses the media in the city yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate
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England may have a good mix of talented cricketers, but in terms of experience of playing T20 cricket in India is concerned, England would rank at the bottom. Out of the 14 players, who are here to reclaim the World T20 title since winning it in 2010 in West Indies, only four players (skipper Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales) have the experience of playing T20s in Indian conditions.
While Morgan also has the experience of playing in the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the other three players are yet to taste the razzmatazz of franchisee cricket in India.
Steven Finn's last-minute pullout of the World T20 is another dampener for Morgan & Co as the pacer's India experience would have come in handy. Morgan, however, welcomed some naivety of Indian conditions going into the World T20.
'A different challenge'
"It is a different challenge. It is not just (about our participation in) the IPL, a lot of these guys haven't been to India. We have toured Sri Lanka, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A lot of sides when (they) come to India get hammered and that can almost scar your perception.
"So, having a bit of naivety along with huge amount of talent is a bit of advantage," Morgan told reporters yesterday.
England come into the World T20 with ODI (3-2) and T20 (2-0) series losses against South Africa. Morgan wasn't too concerned with England's form though.
"I am reasonably confident of doing well. We had a good series in South Africa. We have a lot of talent and match-winners in our team. We have a positive attitude in the group. We encourage players to be brash, aggressive and take the game to the opponent," said Morgan.
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