England v South Africa: Eoin Morgan batting 'as good as I've seen'
Thursday 25 May 2017 13:29, UK
Eoin Morgan's batting is the best it has been for a while, says Sky Sports' Michael Atherton after the England captain hit a hundred in their first ODI win over South Africa.
Morgan struck an 11th ODI century - his 107 off 93 balls including seven fours and five sixes - as England scored 339-6 at Headingley, their 20th score of 300 or more since the 2015 World Cup.
That's eight more than the 12 South Africa have managed in second spot, and Atherton thinks it is the competition for places - including the captain's spot - within the England line-up that has led to such success.
"Morgan played as good as I've seen him play for a while," he said. "He is batting so fluently. Even though, as he said, he hasn't had many games of late.
"I know he is the captain, and therefore you think the captain is going to be the first name on the teamsheet, but there are younger players now coming through.
"Last year when Ben Duckett came in and did well with Morgan missing the Bangladesh tour, there were one or two whispers.
"A few years ago, Morgan was a complete outlier - a more inventive, more expressive player than anyone else - but others are now catching him up, so he has still got to prove himself as a player.
"That competition is such a good thing for a side. Having players like Duckett and Liam Livingstone, who can't get in - they are pushing you all the time to keep improving.
"Sam Billings used the word 'petrified' in the build-up to this game, saying 'England's batting petrifies the rest of the world'.
"I think one or two people within the England camp would have rather that not have been said. It's a bit of a 'foot in mouth' quote before the Champions Trophy, but there is an element of truth in it.
"They may not yet 'petrify' the rest of the world, but they all do know now that England have six or seven players that can really damage them. That wasn't always the case in the past."
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Join us for live coverage of the second ODI between England and South Africa from 10.30am on Sky Sports 2 this Saturday.
