So, an Irishman has been named captain of England's one-day cricket team. We'd like to think we could bluff our way through most sporting discussions but analysing the merits of the Eoin Morgan's appointment may be stretching things a bit. As such, we thought we'd leave it up to those in the know.
Morgan has taken over from Alastair Cook, who has been unceremoniously dropped ahead of the Tri-Series against Australia and India in January and then the World Cup in February.
One of the main things on many people's mind seems to have been how Morgan's appointment would affect the possibility of Kevin Pietersen's return to the England fold. Pietersen has been something of a persona non-grata since he released a controversial autobiography earlier this year.
Great news that @Eoin16 is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him.
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 19, 2014
@piersmorgan @Eoin16 @KP24 If he wanted him back he wouldn't be captain. Good luck Eoin ... — Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) December 20, 2014
Unsurprisingly, there has some reference made to the curious fact that the English ODI team is now captained by an Irishman.
Right for Cook to go, but Morgan? Not much better form wise, not to mention he's Irish (though that might be a personal to me grumble).
— Asim (@ava1803) December 19, 2014
Funny! England are now relying on an Irish cricketer to lead their one day side..... — Murray Thompson (@moomoomuzza) December 20, 2014
Good luck to Eoin Morgan. Talked to him while covering 2007 World Cup, he was as Irish as the Blarney Stone. Now he's captain of England.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) December 20, 2014
@sundersays They did all get British passports if they didn't already have them. Suspect Morgan does not - which may be unique. — Paddy Briggs (@PaddyBriggs) December 20, 2014
However, most of the criticism that has come Morgan's way concerns many fans' feeling that he is simply the wrong man for the job regardless of nationality and/or birthplace. Morgan has of course captained England before, most notably against Ireland last year. However, now that he has taken over from Alastair Cook permanently he has taken a much more important position within English cricket and, as a result, he is set for much more scrutiny.
Replacing Cook with Morgan is as bad as replacing Blair with Brown. Blind leading the blind.
— James Hall (@James_Hall92) December 20, 2014
Owen Morgan. What a joke of a cricketer. He is worse than Cook #cricket — Ian Davis (@iandavis28) December 20, 2014
The decision to make Eoin Morgan one day captain is laughable, yeah decent batsman but surely Broad should be captain.
— Zak Winfield (@zakwinfield) December 20, 2014
So @ECB_cricket have finally seen sense over Cook. Only problem is that Morgan is out of form aswell ???? — Jon (@jonthevillaboy) December 20, 2014
What a joke Morgan one day captain. How many runs has he scored in last 18 months
— Oneills Sports (@oneillssports) December 20, 2014
@Mike_Dickson_DM Put aside the fact that in 2014 Morgan only averages 25 he is currently not worth his place in team. I wish him well but — Tony Torrance (@tonytorra) December 20, 2014
@Mike_Dickson_DM As an England supporter of 35 years plus Morgans appointment is probably the worst I have seen. Another awful ECB decision
— Tony Torrance (@tonytorra) December 20, 2014
@Mike_Dickson_DM Morgan tenure will start in an expectation of failure. A truly awful appointment. — Tony Torrance (@tonytorra) December 20, 2014
Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
