Eoin Morgan vows to continue to World T20 as he aims to repeat summer glory

Captain fantastic Eoin Morgan has told his teammates and bosses that he is planning to go to the World T20 and beyond.

England’s most successful white ball cricketer of all time admitted that it was a difficult decision for him to continue as skipper after lifting the 50-over World Cup in July.

He could have gone out on the ultimate high at Lord’s, but after weighing things up at the end of the summer he knew he still had the hunger and the desire to commit to the job in the long term.

And the 33-year-old is refusing to look at the T20 version in Australia next year as his curtain call either to make sure that he doesn’t start winding down at the wrong time.

“It was a difficult decision as I didn’t have time to think about it,” said Morgan ahead of tomorrow morning’s first T20 with New Zealand. “I had two weeks after the World Cup and then came back and played, which doesn’t give you time to think.

“I had to weigh up if I was enjoying it and coming back for Middlesex was a bit unnerving, but certainly the drive was there and after the Blast finished I took a couple of weeks to think about things and the next year became clearer.

“I won’t say I’ll be finished after the next World Cup as I’d be afraid I’ll only creep over the line and maybe fall off.

“I don’t want to let anyone down. I want to drive through the T20 World Cup in Australia and then make a call after that.”

Morgan is confident about England’s chances too after making the previous final in 2016. Many of the players involved in that tournament formed the backbone of the 50-over side this year.

But there are plenty of new faces out here in New Zealand ready to elbow their way into contention for a spot in the side over the next 12 months.

Young stars such as Tom Banton and Saqib Mahmood are expected to get their first chance to make an impact in Christchurch alongside established World Cup winners Morgan and Jonny Bairstow.

“The younger guys have a lot of talent,” added Morgan. “Converting that talent on a new platform is the challenge for them and one they are looking forward to.

“I think we’re in a reasonably strong position. There aren’t a lot of places up for grabs in our best XI, but this is where games and exposure let us find out more about some players.

“I feel very lucky to lead this group and I think we can do something even more special down the line.”