CRICKET TEST MATCH:EOIN MORGAN'S hopes of taking his seat on the England flight to Australia for this winter's Ashes received a huge boost at Trent Bridge yesterday after the left-hander claimed a maiden Test century in just his third match to help England close the first day in control on 331 for four against Pakistan.
The 23-year-old Dubliner will come back this morning intent ton building on the 125 runs he accumulated with an ease and calmness as impressive as some of the trademark shots he has carried over from his successes in the one-day game.
The reverse sweep and the late dab got a look-in alongside the more textbook shots; none more impressive than the straight six off Shoaib Malik that brought up his hundred, and a wide smile to a face that had been the picture of determination up to that.
Morgan admitted afterwards he had not planned to go to his hundred with a six — but was delighted to accept the invitation to do so. “I was glad when he lobbed it up. I wasn’t even in that frame of mind, because they’d brought the field up – and I wasn’t expecting him to dart it in. But when he threw it up I freed my hands and threw everything at it,” said Morgan.
“It’s extremely satisfying, to score a Test match hundred in only my third game. It’s a great achievement, and I’m very proud of myself. It was a huge moment in my career,” he added.
Morgan, though, refused to say it was mission accomplished as he makes the tradition to the longer form of the game.
“I’m far from a Test match player and I have a lot to improve. I have to score runs consistently and I have to do that over a long period of time.
Morgan dominated a record unbroken double-century stand with Paul Collingwood (81 not out) after England had appeared in trouble on 118 for four following three quick wickets either side of lunch.
The fifth-wicket pair held firm against the threat of Mohammad Aamer (three for 39) and Mohammad Asif, before making hay against the back-up bowlers .
Morgan had two moments of fortune, edging Aamer just short of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on five and then 73 runs later surviving via the decision review system after being initially given out to a delivery from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
Scorecard
FIRST TESTat Trent Bridge, Nottingham England won the toss and batted.
England first innings
A Strauss c Akmal b Aamer 45
A Cook c Farhat b Aamer 8
J Trott lbw b Aamer 38
K Pietersen b Asif 9
P Collingwood not out 81
E Morgan not out 125
Extras:(b-5, lb-8, w-5, nb-7) 25
Total(four wickets; 90 overs) 331
Fall of wickets:1-42, 2-93, 3-116, 4-118.
To bat:Prior, Swann, Broad, Anderson, Finn.
Bowling:Aamer 19-4-39-3, Asif 20-6-65-1, Gul 16-4-58-0, Kaneria 21-0-100-0, Malik 11-2-39-0, Ali 1-0-9-0, Amin 1-0-3-0, Farhat 1-0-5-0.
Pakistan:S Butt (captain), I Farhat, A Ali, U Amin, U Akmal, S Malik, K Akmal, M Aamer, U Gul, D Kaneria, M Asif.
