Morgan would be happy to follow Joyce into blue

Eoin Morgan will line-up in the green of Ireland against England tomorrow hoping he can become the second Irish player to defect to the opposition.

The 20-year-old left-hander is already regarded as one of the rising stars of Irish cricket but, in the next few years, he is hopeful of following Middlesex team-mate Ed Joyce and donning the blue of England.

Dublin-born Joyce led the way two years ago when, after helping Ireland reach the World Cup for the first time, completed his qualification with England.

He is now their chosen opener alongside captain Michael Vaughan. Joyce could, however, be the first of many, with fellow Dubliner Morgan leading a number of exciting young Irish players with ambitions beyond playing one-day international cricket for their motherland.

"When I first moved to England it was a hard decision, but I want to get to the highest level in my career and the career I've chosen is cricket," said Morgan, who moved to Middlesex aged just 14 after being spotted playing on an Ireland under-17s tour of England.

"In order to do that I have to go and play abroad - if I could play in Dublin I would.

"Ed has blazed a trail for us. People have recognised that the development in Irish cricket is fantastic and we have players like William Porterfield and both Kevin and Niall O'Brien, who are fantastic cricketers.

"You have to realise they are only playing part-time at the moment and they are playing against full international cricketers. We all see ourselves as following the same route as Ed - he's led the way and we can only follow."

Far from cause resentment among the Ireland cricket fraternity over their ambition to further themselves abroad, more senior members of the Ireland squad are actively pursuing a similar strategy.

Vice-captain Kyle McCallan, who had trials with Derbyshire and Surrey as a youngster, believes Joyce's success can blaze a trail for other Irish players to follow and become role models for future cricketers.

"Our game needs role models and the more players than can make it at county level, and perhaps go on and play at the highest level, the better," said 32-year-old McCallan.

Morgan is desperate to do well tomorrow, when his team become reacquainted with Joyce and continue their learning curve.

"Since we've qualified for the Super Eights, we've been looking forward to that game, not only to put on a team performance but, for me personally, I'm looking to get some runs because I've struggled a bit since I came here. I feel I am in a bit of form, it's just a matter of spending some time at the crease."