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We need The Hundred but we can’t play four formats – Eoin Morgan

by Wisden Staff 4 minute read

World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan has put his support behind The Hundred but questioned the place of having four formats of the game. 

Speaking at the draft of the Euro T20 Slam on Friday, Morgan gave his backing for the ECB’s new domestic 100-ball competition set to begin in 2020 and featuring eight city-based franchises – but did throw a caveat into the mix.

“We can’t play with four formats,” said Morgan. “I think over the next few years, one of the formats will miss out.

“The Hundred, yes, I do think we need it. I think whether it’s a hundred [balls], 10 overs, 20 overs – one franchise tournament with less teams in order to consistently sell the games, I think we need it.

“Anybody I speak to who loves sport but not necessarily loves cricket is crying out for a tournament that he or she understands. Eighteen teams going for a long period of time does not make sense.”

Morgan also reflected upon England’s World Cup win, admitting that the achievement of last Sunday’s win over New Zealand at Lord’s has yet to sink in.

“I didn’t sleep the night after the game because I couldn’t,” said Morgan. “I went to bed just after four and I couldn’t sleep. I was up for three hours just thinking, trying to understand what happened in the game, different stages of the game where both sides made mistakes and absolutely none of it has sunk in. I think it’ll take time to sink in.”

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