Skipper Eoin Morgan smashed away a jaw-dropping 17 sixes during a knock of 71-ball 148 that helped England rout Afghanistan in a World Cup 2019 game on Tuesday (June 18) at Old Trafford, Manchester. But the three lions' captain said he never thought he "could produce an innings like that". 

Morgan starred in England's impregnable first innings total of 397/6, which they were able to comfortably defend by restricting Afghanistan to just 247/8. This was home team's fourth win of the tournament in five games. 

"Didn't really think it was going to be my day at any point, to be honest. I've had a bad back, looks like I'm getting old (laughs)," said Morgan after the game. 

"There are many guys in the dressing room and who can produce an innings like that - but to match up to the youngsters is amazing. I didn't think I could produce an innings like that, honestly. Afghanistan is a side with a lot of potential - a completely different challenge with their spin attack."

"I'm delighted that I have. I think coming in at the time where it was a 50/50 shout whether myself or Jos went in probably helped that, because after I faced a few balls, I had no choice. I had to start taking risks because of him coming in next, and then after I got dropped, it was a matter of just keep going. Yeah, one of those days," he added. 

Batting in the middle-order with some of the most explosive batsmen around him, Morgan said he has had to evolve his power-hitting game as well, and that was evident as most of those maximums from his willow came straight down the ground. 

"I have changed in terms of my game - everyone plays the shots I started my career with - the scoops and the sweeps, etc. However, right now, I'm stronger down the ground than I have ever been, and life seems to have come full circle that way, because cricket has evolved in a way that there are fields that the oppositions set for those funky shots now."

"I think it's just sort of where I'm looking to score has changed over the course of my career. I think I've scored a lot squarer early on in my career; whereas I look a little bit more down the ground now."

"And I think when you look down the ground, your mistake is almost going to look square, which still gives you a chance of hitting a six. I think I'm probably just becoming a target for the guys in the changing room to take down," he concluded. 

(Inputs from CricketNext)