Stuart Broad found himself going in to bat for England's erstwhile 'banker' Twenty20 specialist Eoin Morgan, as the world champions prepare to face West Indies in the Super Eights.
Morgan rose to the top of the International Cricket Council rankings little more than a year ago, on the back of a string of outstanding Twenty20 performances for his adopted country. But since the 25-year-old underwent shoulder surgery last autumn, he has returned with a whimper in the sprint format.
"I thought 'Morgs' had done quite well," said Broad, hoping his team can put behind them their record defeat against India in Colombo when they take on the Windies in the first of three fixtures at Pallekele. "Certainly, looking back to the Australia one-dayers [last summer], I remember him winning the games."
He added: "Every time he goes back to Middlesex, he seems to whack a hundred off 60 balls. We know what a dangerous player he is."
Broad is confident Morgan will come up with the goods when England need them most.
"He brings experience and calmness to our middle order; he obviously plays spin really well," the England Twenty20 skipper said. "I think this is where he will shine - he shines when he is under pressure and the team is under pressure.
"Every game from now is a 'win' game. This is where you are looking for your key men to shine, and I fully believe 'Morgs' will do that."
Morgan is a key figure in an otherwise inexperienced middle order, and Broad believes his cool head and clean striking remain a winning combination.
He said: "I think they go hand in hand. He is a very calm guy.
"When he is out there, he is calm to bat with; he talks about the processes, how he is going to score his runs ... then he 'explodes'."
