Morgan gets England call

CRICKET:IRELAND'S PLANS for the Twenty20 World Cup have suffered a setback after Eoin Morgan was named in England's final 15-man squad for the tournament. The 22-year-old from Dublin was also named in England's squad for their one-day series against the West Indies, and could make his debut on May 21st when the sides meet at Headingley.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons, who had named Morgan in his preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup, expressed his disappointment at losing the talented left-hander, but wished the Middlesex player all the best in his bid to play Test cricket with England.

“We’ve known for a long time that Eoin was destined to play for England, and the squad is happy for him that he’s got there and realised his ambition,” said Simmons.

“We wish him all the best in the Twenty20 tournament and also for his one-day international career. While it’s disappointing to lose a player of his undoubted calibre, we’ve contingency plans in place, as his selection hasn’t come a shock to us,” he added.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom echoed Simmons’ sentiments, claiming Morgan’s elevation to the full England set-up, following in Ed Joyce’s footsteps, is a ringing endorsement of the structures in place here.

“We are sad to lose Eoin to England, and we sincerely wish him all the very best in his future career. However, it shows that Irish cricket can produce players who are capable of competing on the world stage in the game’s ultimate format.

“This only strengthens our argument to push the ICC to let our best players realise their ambition of playing Test cricket with the green shamrock of Ireland on their chest, rather than the three lions of England,” he said.

Meanwhile, Simmons’ side face into a tough away doubler-header against Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire in the Friends Provident Trophy this weekend.

Tomorrow’s game at Trent Bridge will give the side an early look at the ground where they will play their two group games at the Twenty20 World Cup in June.

Jeremy Bray, back after a two-year absence, is likely to slot in at the top of the order, while Simmons will be keen to see Paul Stirling impress again after last weekend’s half-century against Worcestershire. The 18-year-old is the likely replacement for Morgan in the number three slot.

IRELAND(Squad for FP Trophy games v Nottinghamshire, Trent Bridge, Sunday, and Leicestershire, Grace Road, Monday): K McCallan (Waringstown, capt), J Bray (The Hills), P Connell (North Down), P Eaglestone (Strabane), J Hall (Waringstown), J Mooney (North County), K O'Brien (Railway Union), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Carrickfergus), R Strydom (YMCA), R West (Civil Service North), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey, wkts).