Rob Key thanks Eoin Morgan for his 'outstanding contribution' to the game

The Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, has conveyed his gratitude to Eoin Morgan, who announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 28, Tuesday, for his “outstanding” contribution to cricket on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Morgan was the captain of England in limited-overs cricket starting from 2014 until his retirement.

One of Morgan’s biggest achievements during his England captaincy was guiding the team to its first-ever ODI World Cup title in 2019. Key, however, stressed that Morgan’s legacy was far greater than just winning that World Cup.

“On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket, I’d like to thank Eoin Morgan for his outstanding contribution to the game,” stated Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, in a press release by the ECB. “It will be wrong to think Eoin’s legacy was just winning the World Cup in 2019; it is far greater than that,” he added

Morgan has changed the way the game has been played: Key

Eoin Morgan made his international debut for Ireland in 2006, scoring 99 against Scotland, and his England debut in 2009. He has appeared in 248 ODIs, 115 T20Is and 16 Test matches ever since, scoring 7,701, 2,458 and 700 runs respectively. He was also part of the England team that won the T20 World Cup in 2010. 

“As with all great players and leaders, he has changed the way the game has been played, and he has changed the way an entire generation and generations to come will play this form of the game. His legacy within the game will be felt for many years to come. He is, without question, the best leader I have seen. I wish him well in the next chapter of his career,” Key added.

Morgan holds the record for hitting the most number of sixes in an ODI innings, with 17 against Afghanistan in 2019. He also holds the record for captaining in most T20Is along with MS Dhoni. His last action on the field as an England player was against the Netherlands in an ODI on June 19.