English speedster Jofra Archer spoke about Eoin Morgan's announcement to retire from international cricket earlier this week, claiming it took him some time to process the "surprise" news.
On Tuesday, Morgan announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, capping off a glittering career in which he elevated England to become one of the most feared teams in the white-ball competition and led the team from the lows of exiting the 2015 ODI World Cup to winning the championship on home soil in 2019.
“We still use the WhatsApp group from that World Cup and the message at the weekend from Morgs, to let us know he was retiring, was waiting when I woke up. To be honest, it took some comprehension because it was so unexpected. Quitting a few months shy of the World Cup is probably a shock to many, but he sees it as the right time, and clearly felt he was no longer influencing results with personal contributions," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail.
Archer further said that the Three Lions will miss Morgan’s courageous leadership in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set to take place in Australia later this year.
“However, I don’t think that way and I don’t think other players do, either. It wouldn’t have mattered whether Morgs scored a single run at the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia as long as he was there. It will definitely affect the team not having him around."
“Obviously, he has always been in the team to contribute as an individual, but his role went beyond batting. As I said, he inspires others to perform. That is not an aura many possess - Ben Stokes is another example of someone within the group who has a similar impact. Yes, everyone wants to have an impact on games to help the team, but Morgs did it most through inspirational leadership."
Archer, who debuted in international cricket against Ireland in May 2019, thanked Morgan for helping him feel at home in the team after being a last-minute addition to the squad for the huge event.
“The summer of 2019 was the greatest of my life and I really appreciated the part he played. I would like to thank him for going against the grain and selecting me because, before I came in, a lot of people were saying that a winning team should not be changed and that it would affect the chemistry in the group."
“As captain, Morgs didn’t only bring me into the squad, he made me feel welcome, and those are two different things. It was typical of his behavior, and what everyone has said about him over the past 48 hours is true. He is an amazing person. He is an amazing cricketer as well. Someone who has broken lots of records during a great career."
Archer concluded by wishing Morgan luck in his future domestic cricket endeavors. “I guess everyone knows when it’s their time to stop, while everyone else thinks that the person in question has a few more years left in them. I hope he continues to play for Middlesex because I think he has a lot of cricket left in him."
(Daily Mail inputs)
