Watch: Eoin Morgan Responds After Kevin Pietersen Accuses Him Of Being Scared While Facing Mitchell Starc

England skipper Eoin Morgan has responded to Kevin Pietersen’s claims that he was scared of facing Mitchell Starc at Lord’s on Tuesday. England suffered their second consecutive defeat in the tournament and third overall and are now in a spot of bother. The hosts now need to win both of their remaining games against India and New Zealand to secure their passage to the semifinal. Even one loss could jeopardise their plans of progressing.

Asked to bat, first, Australia finished their innings on 285 for 7 despite their openers – Aaron Finch and David Warner – adding another century-plus stand. The defending champions failed to finish strongly once again. However, it made little difference as Australia comfortably defended their total to become the first team to enter the semifinal.

The five-time World Cup-winners bowled out the fancied hosts for 221. Barring Ben Stokes, who scored another fighting fifty in a losing cause, none of the other English batsmen managed to provide any sort of resistance to the Australian bowling. Jason Behrendorff, who was playing his first match of the tournament, starred with the ball by picking up five wickets. Mitchell Starc also continued his fine run with the ball, finishing the game with fine figures of 4 for 43.

During the game and even after that, Kevin Pietersen took a shot at Morgan, saying that the England skipper was scared of facing Starc.

“Oh no, Eoin Morgan looked scared! That Is A Horror Sign!,” wrote Kevin Pietersen when Morgan was batting.

Oh no, Eoin Morgan looked scared!

That Is A Horror Sign!

— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) June 25, 2019

In another tweet after the game ended, Kevin Pietersen wrote:

“The England captain stepping to square leg when Starc bowled his first delivery to him made me think England could have a little problem over the next week or so.  I hope not, but I’ve not seen a captain show such a weakness for a while…”

The England captain stepping to square leg when Starc bowled his first delivery to him made me think England could have a little problem over the next week or so.
I hope not, but I’ve not seen a captain show such a weakness for a while…

— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) June 25, 2019

Morgan has now responded to Pietersen’s claims. While interacting with the media after the loss, Morgan expressed his surprise over Pietersen’s comment, saying: “Really? Excelling”. 

Here is a clip where Eoin Morgan could be seen replying to Kevin Pietersen’s tweet:

Reporter: Kevin Pietersen took to twitter and said he thought you looked scared of the ball and were backing away from Mitchell Starc.

Eoin Morgan: Really, excellent.#ENGvAUS #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/4yFQpPZuCm

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 25, 2019