England’s 44-year wait for a Cricket World Cup may or may not end with the 2019 edition, but the buzz created in lead up to the tournament, and the main event itself, could have a far-reaching impact on the sport’s future in the country.

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“The impact of this World Cup is not as big an impact unless we go a long way, but it will have an impact on everybody,” Morgan said. “We got knocked out of the ’99 World Cup early, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.”

England have had an unflattering run at World Cups ever since the inaugural 1975 edition. They have hosted the tournament four times [2019 being the fifth], but have failed to win the title even once, finishing runner-up thrice.

There seems to be no such jinx for the women: Heather Knight’s side won England their fourth Women’s World Cup title in 2017, and Morgan believes that a similar triumph would do wonders for the men’s team too.

“The weather was miserable, the ball was horrible, the pitches were doing all sorts, our team didn’t really like each other, we played terribly.”

Things didn’t go to plan the last time England hosted a #CWC. ?https://t.co/7pRiPWWeFb

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 29, 2019

“The impact of that [women’s] World Cup two years ago was amazing. The women’s game is thriving. It would mean a huge amount for us to win it. I couldn’t imagine what it would do.”

The ECB seems to be leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Morgan’s men have all the backing, while keeping high the popularity quotient around the team.

Gareth Southgate, England national football team’s manager, made more than a brief appearance in the cricket team’s practice session on May 29, delivering a motivating speech ahead of their opening game against South Africa.

[caption id=”attachment_107481″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Gareth Southgate was invited to England’s practice session a day before their opening game[/caption]

“We did a session with Gareth, it was brilliant,” said Morgan. “Every one of our players enjoyed it and every one of our backroom staff did as well.”

Coached by Southgate, and fuelled by high expectations, England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup before suffering a heartbreak against Croatia in extra-time in the semi-final. The 48-year-old Southgate shared, with Morgan and team, the experiences of his side’s inspiring run in Russia.

“He got up and talked about his journey with the team in and around the World Cup, in the build-up as well and how they built bigger expectations and became more together as a group.”

“I think everybody within the room listening who has been involved in our team over the last four years recognised that they are where we were two years ago and we started exactly where they did.”

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It’s relatively new territory for England, as they go into the World Cup tagged favourites by several experts and fans alike. Morgan believes that the team, currently ranked No.1 in the ICC ODI rankings, have been buoyed by the increased expectations.

“In a lot of the World Cups I’ve played in – or in which a couple of the guys in the changing room have played in – we’ve gone in with very little expectation and not done that well. I’d pick this position over any other.

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“There’s a lot of belief within the room. The transformation of the team has been brilliant. We’re very confident within our own game.”