LONDON: Eoin Morgan, England’s limited-overs captain, will lead ICC’s World XI against the Windies side in a T20I to be played at Lord’s on May 31 this year. The match is being held to raise funds for the reconstruction of two grounds – James Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla and Dominica’s Windsor Park Stadium – that were damaged due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Morgan is generally regarded as a skillful leader in white-ball cricket. The aggressive batsman has led England to 14 wins in 26 T20Is and under his leadership, England reached the final of World T20 2016. He has also compiled 1678 runs in T20Is.
“I am delighted to captain the ICC World XI at Lord’s in May against the West Indies,” Morgan said on Thursday (March 22). “The cricket family always comes together to support worthwhile causes and this one-off T20I, featuring some of the best players in the world will be a great spectacle at the home of cricket. I am sure the sporting public will come out in force and help raise money and awareness towards restoring parts of the Caribbean hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September last year, which ripped through many communities in this beautiful part of the world,” he added.
The ICC has also granted the match international status, with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) president Giles Clarke, an ICC board member, co-ordinating the game. The match will be broadcast live.
“Two category 5 hurricanes in two weeks last year devastated parts of the Caribbean and the world of cricket was keen to show support with a fundraising initiative,” Clarke said. “What better way to do that than staging a world-class game at the Home of Cricket!
“Eoin Morgan as captain is a wonderful first name on the ICC World XI team sheet and in due course we’ll have more players from around the world lending their support to what I’m sure will be a highly entertaining and competitive day of cricket at Lord’s in May,” he added.
