Eoin Morgan admits he was surprised to set a new record for most sixes in an ODI innings in England’s win over Afghanistan. The England skipper hit 17 sixes, beating the previous record of 16 maximums held by Rohit Sharma, AB De Villiers and Chris Gayle, as he managed a knock of 148 from 71 deliveries.
England hit 25 sixes in total, another record, and Morgan says even he was surprised by his performance in the 150-run win at Old Trafford. “It’s weird, very strange,” he said of his innings. “It’s something, along with the innings, that I never thought I’d do.
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“Never have I ever thought I could play a knock like that. I’m delighted that I have. All the work over the last four years, over the course of my career, it all comes to the front now. “The last four years I’ve probably played the best in my career. But that hasn’t involved the 50 or 60-ball hundred.
“I’ve scored one at Middlesex, so I thought I would have it in the locker somewhere but it’s never happened. So I sort of gave up on it a little bit.” There were doubts as to whether Morgan would even be involved at all against Afghanistan after struggling with a back problem during the win over West Indies on Friday, but the 32-year-old has moved to play down any injury concerns.
He said: “The back feels good. I’m absolutely delighted with the way it’s come through like that, particularly with the fielding. Those were the bigger worries, turning and diving and all sorts. “(Tuesday) morning went pretty smoothly. Early start, getting my back hot and all the muscles moving. I didn’t have any injections, I just had medication tablets for the game. It was good.”
