Morgan expecting tough task against Ireland

England captain Eoin Morgan is under no illusions as to the challenge that his inexperienced side face against the country of his birth on Thursday.

                                                                 

                                                Morgan - says England are not disrespecting Ireland.

Morgan was appointed captain against Ireland, for whom he first played international cricket, after England's selectors opted to rest the majority of their stars following the 4-0 Test series whitewash of India.

Jonathan Trott is the only other 'senior' player involved for England in Dublin, with the rest of the squad made up of promising players who have largely turned out for the England Lions.

Morgan's appointment as captain has raised eyebrows given that he was born in Dublin, but the batsman insisted that it is a "huge compliment" to Irish cricket.

"It's a huge honour and privilege to be in the position I am at the moment, for this game in particular," said Morgan, who captained Ireland Under-19s against England Under-19s in 2006.

"I wouldn't have imagined it (would come against Ireland). It's exciting though, I certainly enjoy playing against Ireland and I've done it a number of times.

"I think it's a huge compliment (to Ireland) and I can vouch for that.

"I played with Ireland when Ed Joyce made his debut for England, played in a World Cup for England, scored a hundred in Sydney for England.

"They were proud moments for Irish cricket. You can pride yourself on producing guys who can play at the highest level."

Given that Ireland, who beat England in a World Cup clash in Bangalore earlier this year, will be at full strength for Thursday's match, Morgan knows that England will be up against it.

"The side knows what Ireland are capable of and we know that we will have to go out and play very good cricket to go and beat them," he said.

Morgan, who missed that World Cup match through injury, also maintained that England were not being disrespectful by resting their biggest players against Ireland.

"With the intensity of cricket we've played in the last 12 months and the cricket ahead of us, this game is a window of opportunity to give some of the senior guys a rest. There has to be an understanding," he said.

"The cricket we've played and the level we've played it at takes a hell of a lot out of you.

"And take nothing away from the guys who are coming in. A lot of them have already played and the four new guys who have come in are the brightest and biggest talents in English cricket at the moment. No-one should be disappointed with the side we've come with.

"The side is always hungry. With our ethos in the team, we strive to win and to do it for each other. It's why we thrive in the Test arena and what we're looking to do in one-day cricket as well."