Eoin Morgan lauds Dawson, Bopara despite a loss to Phoenix

image-l7guahmoLiam Dawson (PC: Twitter)

London Spirit skipper Eoin Morgan has hailed the performances of spinner Liam Dawson and batter Ravi Bopara, despite the team's loss to Birmingham Phoenix on Tuesday at Lord's. 

Batting first, Spirit had an average start with a nearly run-a-ball net run rate, until Bopara arrived on the crease. The 37-year-old smoked five sixes to contribute a quickfire 45 off 20 to help the team in finishing on 139. 

In the second half, Dawson provided a double strike for the Spirit by dismissing the openers, Will Smeed and Sol Budinger. He then followed it by sending the in-form Chris Benjamin back to the hut to end the fixture with prolific figures of 3/15 in 20 balls. 

In the end, Phoenix registered a victory on the last ball of the innings. Although Spirit failed to book the Finals spot, they surely will be featuring in the Eliminator. 

Morgan felt relieved after qualifying for the playoffs, and compared their performances to last year, wherein they finished at the last spot. 

"We are delighted to go through, given the season we had last year," said Morgan. 

"They [bowlers] were outstanding. Liam Dawson had the difficult task of setting the tone upfront. Dawson is world-class, and on the wicket which offers enough, he is a very canny bowler."

What Morgan said on Bopara

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"He's played only three games so far. Given that Kieron Pollard has left the team, which is another opportunity for Ravi.

"The last year and a half for him have been huge. In the winter, he will be playing a lot of white- ball cricket against some of the best and no doubt he will take everything in his stride."

The London side have already made their way into the playoffs, with the recent result bearing no result on their position whatsoever.

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