Morgan: Never imagined I could play such a knock

England skipper Eoin Morgan was delighted after smashing 17 sixes in a record-breaking knock of 148 off 71 ball against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2019 match at Old Trafford.

Eoin Morgan admitted that he never imagined to play a destructive innings such as his Tuesday's record-breaking 148 off 71 balls against Afghanistan as England won its World Cup 2019 match by 150 runs at Old Trafford. The England skipper hammered 17 sixes in his whirlwind knock, the highest in an ODI innings.

“Never, never have I ever thought I could play a knock like that. I'm delighted that I have. I think coming in at the time where it was a 50/50 shout whether myself or Jos (Buttler) went in probably helped that, because after I faced a few balls, I had no choice,” Morgan said.

The 32-year old admitted that being dropped on 28 by Dawlat Zadran boosted his confidence. “After I got dropped, it was a matter of just keep going. Yeah, one of those days.” he said.

Morgan sympathised with Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan who conceded 110 runs in nine overs -- the most expensive figures in World Cup history.

“We don't go into any game with any preconceived ideas about how guys can play, because anybody can have a bad day. He's obviously a very, very good bowler, and we've experienced that before. He's performed extremely well for a long period,” he said.

“But like all good players, you know, it's when you -- you probably learn the most about yourself when your backs are against the wall, and it's probably the same case.”

Former Australia stumper-batsman, Adam Gilchrist, had once described that the certainty of landing a six is the best feeling. Morgan agreed that it is ‘exactly the same’ for him.

“It's like hitting a golf ball off the tee. You're the only person -- if you think it's going straight, you're the only person that knows at the time. It's a very special feeling,” the captain said.

With this win, England climbed to the points table and Morgan felt that it will boost the confidence of the team ahead of the clash against Sri Lanka on Friday.

“I think it is. Certainly going into Friday's game against Sri Lanka, another game where if we can produce the level of intensity which we operated at today, I think it will leave us in a really good place,” he said.