Eoin Morgan surpasses legendary Ricky Ponting for ODI record

What's the story?

England's limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has gone past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting in accumulating the most runs in ODIs featuring the two arch-rivals. During the ongoing Sydney ODI, the third of the five-match series between Australia and England, the left-hander eclipsed Ponting's record of 1,598 runs. He went past that mark with a reverse-sweep off leg-spinner Adam Zampa, before eventually being dismissed for 41.

In case you didn't know...

Morgan was born in – and even started his international career for – Ireland, having made his debut in 2006. But three years later, his eligibility for England had him selected in their squad with ODI captaincy coming his way in late 2014 after the ECB sacked Alastair Cook just months before the 2015 World Cup.

The heart of the matter

One of Australia's greatest batsmen, Ponting played 39 ODIs against England in which he hit 5 centuries and 8 half-centuries at an average of 48.42. But today was the southpaw's 45th ODI against Australia in an England shirt, while his only game against them for Ireland had come during the 2007 World Cup in West Indies. It took Morgan 44 innings to break Ponting's record, something which the latter had achieved in 38 innings.

However, at the SCG today, it was debatable whether Morgan's bat had actually touched the ball when his reverse-sweep seemed to have missed it, though umpire Chris Gaffaney did not signal byes, giving it as runs instead.

What's next?

England are currently 2-0 ahead following the first two games as the teams battle it out at Sydney with hosts Australia attempting to save the five-game series by ensuring a win keeps them alive.

Author's Take

Despite being a record which can be tagged as “just another feat”, Morgan can boast of runs against a quality bowling attack, having faced the likes of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson during his early days for England, and then Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins later on.