After losing to Sri Lanka at Headingley and Australia at Lord’s, England faced the prospect of exiting the tournament at the group stage and had to win against eventual semi-finalists India and New Zealand to secure their spot in the final four. Despite Pakistan breathing heavily down their necks, England managed to do just that and are now ready to take on the Aussies in the second semi-final at Edgbaston.

“When Kevin Pietersen comes out with a comment, it’s very similar to comments I addressed from Geoffrey Boycott,” Morgan told the BBC. “They are not ones that are considered good for a team environment and don’t take the best interests of the team or the player at heart. Guys are trying their heart out to do well for their country, trying to learn, trying to get better.”