Eoin Morgan is a top-class batsman and perhaps the most successful limited overs captain of England. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Morgan played for the Ireland national team before permanently shifting to England. He went on to represent the England Cricket Team in all three formats of the game. Under his captaincy, England won their first-ever Cricket World Cup in 2019. In 248 ODIs, he has scored over 7500 runs, including 14 centuries. In this article, we will have a look at the top ten ODI innings by the southpaw.
1. 106 Vs Ireland
Morgan played a fine knock against his homeland at Southampton in the third match of the series in August, 2020. His 106-run knock came in just 84 balls, comprising 15 fours and 4 sixes. He also had an impressive strike-rate of over 126 in this innings. His century guided England to a total of 328. However, Ireland fought back really well and eventually won the match by 7 wickets.
2. 107 Vs South Africa
Yet another century from the English skipper came against the Proteas in May, 2017 at Headingley. Morgan faced 93 balls, smashing 7 boundaries and 5 massive sixes in this innings, striking at a rate of around 115. This 107-run knock propelled his team to a massive total of 339 at the end of their 50 overs. Eventually, England won the match by 72 runs.
3. 107 Vs West Indies
Morgan’s tenth ODI century came against the West Indies at Antigua in March, 2017 in the first match of the series between the two nations. Batting first, the English skipper was the top performer for his side. He played a brilliant innings of 107 runs in 116 balls, smashing 11 fours and a couple of sixes, helping his side post a huge total of 296 on the board. Coming out to bat, the West Indies never kept going and ultimately lost the match by 45 runs. Morgan was awarded the Man of the Match award for his stunning display.
4. 107* Vs Pakistan
Morgan played another match-winning knock early in his career with the England team in September, 2010 at Southampton in the fifth match of the series. He was the chief contributor in the English innings as he scored an unbeaten 107 runs in just 101 balls, smashing 8 boundaries and a six. His strike-rate was also an impressive 105, which helped the hosts post 256. Thanks to Morgan’s ton, England eventually won the match and Morgan was awarded the Man of the Match award.
5. 110* Vs Bangladesh
Morgan’s second ODI ton came against Bangladesh on Asian soil in March, 2010. Chasing 261 runs, Morgan was the standout performer for the European side. Facing 104 balls, he scored an unbeaten steady knock of 110, smashing 8 boundaries and a couple of sixes. This vital knock helped the visitors easily chase down the required total in 48.5 overs. Quite naturally, Morgan was adjudged the Man of the Match award for his stunning performance.
6. 113 Vs New Zealand
Chasing a mammoth 351 runs against the Kiwis at Trent Bridge in June 2015, England needed their batters to step up from the first ball itself. The English captain led from the front, scoring 113 runs in just 82 balls, smashing as many as 12 boundaries and 5 sixes. He was in sublime form that day as he struck at a rate of over 135. His ton, along with contributions from Alex Hales and Joe Root helped the hosts chase down the mammoth total in just 44 overs. Morgan was adjudged the Player of the Match for his top-notch performance.
7. 115 Vs Canada
The southpaw’s first-ever ODI century came against Canada, but this time he was playing for his homeland Ireland at the 2006-07 ICC World Cricket League on 4th February, 2007 at Nairobi. Coming out to bat at no. 3, Morgan smashed 10 boundaries and a couple of sixes in 106 balls to reach to his maiden three-digit score. His vital innings, along with some contributions here and there helped Ireland cross the 300-mark in their allotted overs.
8. 121 Vs Australia
Morgan’s 7th ODI century came against the mighty Aussies at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground in early 2015, just before the ICC World Cup. Batting first, England were in deep trouble after losing three crucial wickets for just 12 runs. Morgan came out to bat at no. 5 and scored a scintillating knock of 121 in 136 balls. His innings comprised 11 boundaries and 3 sixes, and he had a decent strike-rate of 88.97. His brilliant batting helped England post a respectable total of 234 on the board.
9. 124* Vs Ireland
Another of Morgan’s top-notch knock came against Ireland at Dublin in September, 2013 when the two nations clashed horns in the first ODI. Chasing 270, England were in a state of bother at one point of time after losing three vital wickets for just 25 runs. It was then that the English skipper came out to bat and played a captain’s knock. Facing 106 balls, he scored 124 runs, smashing 8 fours and 4 sixes. He had a strike-rate of over 115 and remained unbeaten till the end. His outstanding innings, along with Ravi Bopara’s 101 cruised England to an easy win against the associate nation. England won the match by 6 wickets and their skipper was adjudged the Man of the Match.
10. 148 Vs Afghanistan
The knock takes takes the top place in this list is Morgan’s 148-run innings against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup Match at Old Trafford on 18th June. It was just a one-man show as the hosts came out to bat first. Their skipper Eoin Morgan smashed all around the park and scored 148 runs in just 71 balls, having a strike-rate of over 200. He hit just 4 boundaries but as many as 17 huge sixes in this innings. His innings propelled his side to a mammoth total of 397 in their allotted overs. It was a huge total for their opponents to chase and they surrendered, losing the match by a huge margin of 150 runs. Morgan was awarded the Man of the Match award.
