Morgan can play a lasting part for Ireland

ON CRICKET:THE FANTASTIC entertainment value of Twenty20 cricket was displayed to stunning effect in last Saturday's finals of the English version of the competition at the Rose Bowl, writes Emmet Riordan.

And for viewers in this country there was the added bonus of seeing two Irishmen help Middlesex to a thrilling, three-run victory over Kent that will open the door to the vast riches on offer in T20.

Ed Joyce lifted the trophy in Southampton, while Eoin Morgan played his part as Middlesex picked up a cheque for €53,000. It was merely a small down payment, with a trip to Antigua at the end of October and possible participation in the Champions League a month later offering players the sort of money that was unheard of even a year ago.

Although Joyce has long since been lost to Irish cricket, supporters here were looking forward to seeing Morgan in action in this week's European Championships, and more importantly in the World Twenty20 qualifier at Stormont starting on Saturday.

That was until Monday morning, when news broke that Morgan would not be playing in the One-Day Internationals against the Netherlands and Scotland as he was to have a scan today on a knee problem he picked up in Saturday's finals.

The bigger news was that Morgan intimated, if fit, he would be available only for the pool stages of the qualifier in Belfast, before heading back to play a Pro40 match against Worcestershire at Lord's next Monday.

That would rule him out of the vital semi-finals on the same day, with the winners of those games earning a place in next summer's lucrative World Cup in England.

A semi-final defeat would not be the end of the world either, with a third place likely to be on offer if, as expected, Zimbabwe confirm they will not take part in the finals.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons has gone on record to say he wouldn't be happy with Morgan just taking part in the pool stages, mainly because he had already issued fellow County player Niall O'Brien with the ultimatum of playing all or none of the event.

O'Brien has made himself available, and any decision on Morgan will involve the other three Irish selectors, with captain William Porterfield also being consulted. Simmons has said he will accept the majority decision, although it's hard to imagine the others not backing his call.

Of course, Morgan may yet have a change of mind, mindful that missing a Pro40 match, a competition that will cease to exist after next season, will hardly see his day job in jeopardy.

The 21-year-old left-hander is one of the brightest stars in County cricket, leading the run-scoring charts for Middlesex this summer and adapting his talents magnificently to the T20 format, with his paddle sweeps one of the highlight of his side's victory on Saturday.

Irish supporters know it is only a matter of time before he joins Joyce in an England sweater, with a possible tour with the second-string Lions squad a distinct possibility for this winter.

The ambition to prove your talents at the highest level is the prerogative of any professional sportsman and Ireland supporters will watch with pride if one of their own gets to prove himself at the very top, even if it is with the Three Lions on his sweater.

Joyce played his last games for Ireland by helping the side qualify for last year's World Cup. Morgan has the chance to do likewise in the coming week and leave his legacy on the game here.