Eoin Morgan, the busy left-hander, has been named in England's preliminary squad for this summer's Twenty20 World Cup, just as he is in the middle of trying to help his native Ireland qualify for the 50-over version in South Africa. If Morgan does make the final playing squad for England, who he qualifies for after residing in London for more than four years, he would then be ineligible to play for Ireland at the 2011 World Cup.
"Eoin is still eligible to play for Ireland until he is named in an England squad of 12 for a particular match," said James Fitzgerald, the ICC's spokesman. "Being in the squad of 30 or 15 for an event is not enough. If he plays for England, or is named as 12th man, he will then no longer be allowed to play for Ireland for a period of not less than four years." The move is not without precedent. Four years ago Morgan's close friend, Ed Joyce, piloted Ireland's qualification for the last World Cup, averaging 99.75 as they reached the final of the last qualifier.
Two years later he was playing against his homeland in the Caribbean while wearing the blue of England. Joyce, who switched from Middlesex to Sussex in a bid to revive his stalled career at the end of last summer, has since slipped off the radar in terms of England selection. He has now been overtaken by his fellow Dubliner Morgan, 22, whom he mentored when he first moved to Middlesex, in the race for a place in the line-up of their adopted nation.
Morgan hit a vital 84 to rescue Ireland from a precarious position of 40 for four against Canada, which helped the tournament favourites maintain their 100 per cent record in Gauteng. "We are delighted to be in the Super Eights," said Morgan. We can go out in our last group match [against Namibia today] and play positive cricket." @Email:pradley@thenational.ae
