EOIN MORGAN WILL miss the One-Day International between Ireland and England in May in Malahide after getting permission from the England and Wales Cricket Board to play in the Indian Premier League.
Morgan, who played 63 times for Ireland, is now the England One-Day captain but he won’t be available for the trip to Dublin after receiving clearance to represent Sunrisers Hyderabad in the lucrative Twenty20 competition.
Morgan will earn in the region of £140,000 for the six-week tournament which starts on 8 April, just a week after the conclusion of the World Cup.
The Dubliner scored a match-winning century in September 2013 on his return to the ground where he played the majority of his club cricket with Malahide CC.
In defending his decision to miss the fixture, Morgan said returning to play in the IPL would be benefit his game in the long-run.
“The chairman of selectors and the director of cricket have allowed the guys who have got picked up in the IPL, or went into the auction, to miss that Ireland game in order to expose themselves to opportunities in the IPL in order to learn more about their game,” he said.
Despite being captain, Morgan said it wasn’t unusual for him to be absent.
“No I don’t think it is. Probably if you’re being a little short-sighted it might do, but I think in the longer run it will serve me well.
“Playing in the IPL does give you great confidence, you learn a lot along the way and it gives you great energy.
The 28-year-old has come under increased scrutiny after England’s abject start to the World Cup, at which they’ve lost both their opening games.
This morning, co-hosts New Zealand rewrote the history books as they stormed to an eight wicket win in Wellington.
Morgan ended his sequence of ducks as he scored 17 but England were bowled out for just 123 to leave their World Cup campaign hanging by a thread.
Tim Southee took seven wickets for just 33 – the best figures by a New Zealand bowler in ODIs – and then Brendon McCullum inflicted more woe on the forlorn English side by bludgeoning 77 from just 25 balls.
Asked whether Friday’s loss was embarrassing or shocking, Morgan said it was more “disappointing” than embarrassing.
In Brisbane, meanwhile, Cyclone Marcia could disrupt Ireland’s preparations for their second Pool B game against United Arab Emirates.
Phil Simmons’ side arrived at their base from the Gold Coast yesterday but torrential rain may hamper their training schedule ahead of Wednesday’s game at the GABBA.
Ireland won their opening match against West Indies on Monday.
