Captain Morgan's spicy run leaves Afghans punch-drunk

Eoin Morgan said he had exceeded his own expectations after hitting a record-breaking 17 sixes in a one-day international innings during England's World Cup thrashing of Afghanistan.

Morgan's aerial assault helped the England captain to a career-best 148 as the hosts piled up 6-397 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Bottom of the table Afghanistan were never in the hunt, with pre-tournament favourites England winning by 150 runs to go top on net-run rate from champions Australia.

"Never have I ever thought I could play a knock like that. I'm delighted that I have," said Morgan, who came in at 2-164 with 20 overs to go.

"Coming at a time when it was a 50-50 shout whether myself or Jos (Buttler) went in probably helped because after I'd faced a few balls I had no choice. 

"I had to start taking risks because of him coming in next. After I got dropped (on 28) it was just a matter of keep going. One of those days."

Asked about the feeling of hitting a six, Morgan said: "It's like hitting a golf ball off the tee. 

Image Id: 6D7C724D160349839E4B45BAE54781AE Image Caption: Eoin Morgan tees off for one of 17 sixes // Getty

"If you think it's going straight, you're the only person that knows at the time. It's a very special feeling."

Morgan's feat saw him surpass the previous record of 16 sixes in an ODI innings shared by such renowned big-hitters Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.

"It's weird, very strange," said Morgan. "It's something, along with the innings, that I never thought I'd do."

The 32-year-old Morgan's leadership and his belief in aggressive cricket have been behind England's rise to the top of the ODI rankings after a woeful first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup.

But when it was suggested the left-hander had ignored his own advice by doubting his ability to play Tuesday's innings, Morgan replied: "To be fair, the last four years, I've probably played the best in my career, but that hasn't involved a 50 or 60-ball hundred. 

"I thought I could – I would have it in the locker somewhere, but it's never happened. So I sort of gave up on it a little bit."

Morgan's 71-ball masterclass was all the more impressive as he had been doubtful for the match with a back spasm that prevented him batting during England's win over the West Indies on Friday.

"Turning and stuff there was a little (issue), yeah. It took a bit of time before I could get confidence in moving," added Morgan, who said he had not had any injections on the morning of the game.

Tuesday's innings saw Morgan hit his 13th ODI hundred but 12th for England after one for his native Ireland.

Morgan was once best known for unorthodox shots attributed to his childhood exposure to the Gaelic game of hurling.

But a significant feature of his Afghanistan demolition job was the number of textbook straight sixes he hit.

Image Id: 843B38592BBC4B47A1480687CA67A7E3 Image Caption: Morgan hit 102 runs just in sixes // Getty

"I think I scored a lot squarer early on in my career whereas I look a little bit more down the ground now," he said.

Morgan made his England debut in 2009 after helping Ireland qualify for the 2011 World Cup.

After a brief, 16-match Test career, a key factor reason behind his switch, he became one of England's pioneering limited overs specialists and a regular in the Indian Premier League.

Now he is looking to lead England to their first World Cup title, with Sri Lanka next up for his side at Headingley on Friday.

"If we can produce the level of intensity at which we operated today, it will leave us in a really good place," Morgan said.

Tuesday's match was tough on Afghanistan bowling star Rashid Khan, who conceded the second-most expensive figures in one-day international history with a return of 0-110 in nine overs.

Image Id: BB408D36B60E42E59AE960AC79214FBD Image Caption: Rashid Khan has the most expensive bowling return in World Cup history // Getty

Yet things might have been different for the star leg-spinner had Dawlat Zadran no made a mess of a catch at deep midwicket when Morgan was on 28.

"It happens, for any player, so not only Rashid," said Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib. "Everyone knows how good Rashid is. 

"I think today was not his day, but it's cricket, so sometimes you do well, sometimes this kind of stuff."

Morgan insisted England did not have a plan to target Rashid.

"It certainly wasn't deliberate," he said. "We don't go into any game with any preconceived ideas. 

"But like all good players, you probably learn the most about yourself when your backs are against the wall."

Afghanistan batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi said his desire not to worry his mother was the main reason he got back up after being felled by a Mark Wood bouncer in the match.

Shahidi had made 24 when he took his eye off a 144kph (90mph) delivery from the fast bowler that thudded into the side of his helmet and saw him hit the turf immediately after the sickening impact.

It seemed the 24-year-old was about to retire but, donning a new helmet, Shahidi carried on to top-score for Afghanistan with 76.

Image Id: FC7B06E09A034C7599C4B5D0363382D5 Image Caption: Hashmatullah Shahidi is checked on after being hit // Getty

"I got up early because of my mum," Shahidi told reporters after Afghanistan's fifth defeat in as many matches this tournament.

"I lost my father last year so I didn't want her to hurt. My whole family was watching, even my big brother was here in the ground watching. I didn't want them to be worried for me," added Shahidi, with the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, also in attendance at Old Trafford.

But the fact he was allowed to ignore medical advice is bound to raise questions about how the International Cricket Council are dealing with head injuries at this World Cup. 

"The ICC doctors came to me, and our physios, and my helmet was broken in the middle," Shahidi recalled.

"They just told me just, 'let's go'. I told them I can't leave my team-mate at that moment. My team needed me. I carried on.

"After the match I went to the ICC doctor and talked to them. They took care of me and said it will be fine, Inshallah (god willing)."

Afghanistan team official, Naveed Sayeh, confirmed Shahidi had acted against advice in batting on.

"The doctors told him, 'please come off' and to leave the ground. He told them, 'no, I'm now OK so I'll continue my batting'," Sayeh said.

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