Eoin Morgan is optimistic about James Anderson and Stuart Broad extending their Test careers beyond the next Ashes that will be held Down Under in the 2021-22 season, considering how the duo have been bowling lately.
"Both of them have spoken about the Ashes and when you get to that stage, you always earmark things you want to play on to. Hopefully, they can, but you don't know until you come up against your biggest test.
"Everyone who plays Test cricket is aware that English cricket is judged on the basis of Ashes series performances and those guys being who they are, it wouldn't surprise if they want to continue past that," the England white-ball captain said in a video conference on the eve of the first of the three ODIs versus Ireland.
This series is also the first of the ICC World Cup ODI Super League and the match, to be held in Southampton, will be broadcast live on Sony Six from 6.30pm (IST).
Hailing Broad's achievement of 500-plus Test wickets, Morgan underlined the impact the pacer and his new-ball partner Anderson have had.
"It's incredible. We watched most of it on Tuesday. We sat back and talked about where it started, how it has progressed and it's been unbelievable.
"In many ways, Broady and Jimmy are always paired together. But when you speak about them individually, they are greats in their own rights. That doesn't hold a lot of weight at the moment, but I'm sure it will hold a lot more when they finish playing, which is sad. But it's just the way everybody operates," Morgan emphasised.
"I'm lucky to have played Test cricket with Broady. I played in a game where he took a hat-trick at Trent Bridge (versus India in 2011) and it was unbelievable.
"Not only the longevity and skill, he's also box office. He takes wickets in clusters, which means he's a nightmare to play against," Morgan said further on Broad.
He agreed that not being part of ODIs and T20Is in recent years has helped Anderson and Broad remain highly effective in Tests and also prolong their careers.
"They know their bodies better and how they feel. For me, it has definitely prolonged the way I see my career going, having cut red-ball cricket out that allowed me to focus primarily on one thing going forward."
"It means it's less clustered and you can spend more time with your family. And cricket is not as overwhelming as it potentially could be towards the end of your career," Morgan assessed.
