Ben Stokes is going to be devastated: Eoin Morgan

It was the last over of the game. Eoin Morgan tossed the ball into the hands of Ben Stokes. To give the latter credit, he was a picture of calmness. He had done this before and it had worked absolutely perfectly. He had conceded 6 runs and claimed three wickets. But this was a different situation. It was the final over of the World T20 and he would be the one to bowl it. Therefore, it was a clear case of who etched their names in history and who didn’t.

Well, after the first four deliveries landed in the Eden Gardens crowd, Stokes had gone from death bowler to choker. He had conceded 4 sixes to Carlos Brathwaite. He was down on the ground in tears, his head in his hands, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Although Stokes was emotional after the loss, Eoin Morgan stated that Stokes was devastated following the horrific result. Morgan, as a responsible skipper, defended Stokes despite most of the deliveries being good.

“It’s quite simple from my point of view. He is going to be devastated. It’ll take its toll in the next couple of days. But we share the pain, we share the success. You could say what you like to him at the moment but he’s probably not hearing it.”

Morgan added that the way they lost was indeed cruel and that the side performed and executed the plans brilliantly.
“It’s possible. It just happened. Cricket can be a cruel game. I thought we did extremely well with the ball. At no stage, did the West Indies get anywhere near whey they wanted. “I don’t think we felt rushed at all with the ball. I thought we actually had the crowd on our side. And they responded to us. Everything worked in our favour.”
“I don’t think the game is ever gone. I certainly think the physical game of every international cricketer, not only the strength but the timing so you never feel that far away from getting leathered. I’d love to know. I’d love to be able to do it. He’s an incredibly talented cricketer. Like any fantastic cricketer, they keep things incredibly simple.”

In conclusion, Morgan added that he was proud of his players. He also added that they played with freedom and that English cricket was in the ascendency from this point.
“As a whole. I am very proud of my players. I said that yesterday before the game. Today was about letting ourselves go and play with the freedom. I’m extremely proud. This is the beginning of something I hope is going to be special. Let’s hope we can keep this group of players together for a long time.”

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