Eoin Morgan says he went on his world-record blitz of sixes because he feared quick singles would aggravate his back injury.
England’s one-day skipper hit 17 sixes in his 71-ball 148 as his team went top of the World Cup table, following yesterday’s 150-run win over Afghanistan at Old Trafford.
Fast bowler Mark Wood said the team were “astounded” by the innings after Morgan had hurt his back playing against the West Indies on Friday.
Morgan said: “I had an extremely bad back after Southampton. Our medical staff have done wonders with medication and extensive treatment.
“I’ve pretty much been living with the physio, trying to get fit. Every minute of attention has paid off. Myself and Joe [Root] aren’t the quickest anyway, so it [quick singles] is not really an issue, but turning and stuff, there was a little [pain], yeah. It took a bit of time before I could get confidence in moving.”
Morgan also predicted that his new record would be overtaken by another of England’s big hitters.
“It’s something, along with the innings, that I never thought I’d do,” he said. “It’s a nice place to be but I’m probably just becoming a target for guys in the changing room to take down. My hundred is considered a slow one in our changing room. Guys talk about it all the time. It’s a tough school.”
New Zealand could return to the top of the table with victory over South Africa at Edgbaston today, while England face Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday.
