ICC World T20: Eoin Morgan says England still confident, despite Chris Gayle ton
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 17/03/16 9:06am
Eoin Morgan is sure he has the right men by his side, despite watching his England team destroyed by Chris Gayle in their World Twenty20 opener.
England arrived in India with a new-look, young and aggressive squad and high hopes.
But they were put in their place by Gayle's magnificent 100 not out as the West Indies cruised to their 183-run target with six wickets and 11 balls to spare.
England play highly-rated South Africa, who beat them in five consecutive white-ball matches last month, on Friday, and defeat would leave Morgan and his team staring at their third group-stage exit in as many ICC tournaments.
But Morgan is still confident his young guns can do the business in India.
"I still maintain that our young guys are the way forward, we have a lot of talent but we were competing against a very experienced side who've competed in a lot of tournaments worldwide," he said.
"If we'd have taken Gayle's wicket early, I think we'd have got right into them. He was outstanding. You can't fault him. Everyone knows how he plays, he's played that way for a very long time, and coming into the game, we knew if he did get himself in to expect that. It was his night."
Morgan admitted England had veered somewhat from their ideal blueprint, making a par score rather than an intimidating one and not bowling to their optimum.
In particular, leg-spinner Adil Rashid - touted as England's key man on India pitches - was smashed out of the attack by Gayle after just two overs.
"He's probably the best that's played Adil over the last year or so and that posed another question that hasn't been asked in a while," said Morgan.
"That put the pressure back on our bowlers. But we could have been better. Our plans were pretty good, our execution was all right.
"We bowled at about 80 or 90 per cent."
Gayle, later compared by coach Phil Simmons with the great Sir Viv Richards, revelled in his second T20 international ton - and first since the curtain-raiser of the inaugural tournament in 2007.
"I was pumped today. Before I went out, Sulieman Benn said 'entertain me'," he said. "Hopefully I can entertain again."
Simmons added: "Sitting talking to Chris to see how he works it out, it's just as simple as he makes it look out there.
"To see Chris destroy an attack like that, the only person in my time I'd put with him is Vivian. He's up there with Sir Viv in the way he destroys attacks."