Fraser 'disappointed' by Morgan delay

Eoin Morgan will not face disciplinary action by Middlesex after missing their CB40 match against Lancashire at Old Trafford because he was stuck on the train from London but the club remain 'disappointed' by the situation.

Morgan was caught in disruption on the London to Manchester line from Euston station and did not make it to the ground in time for the toss which forced Middlesex to leave him out of the side for what as a key match with semi-final places at stake.

Angus Fraser, Middlesex's director of cricket, said lessons will need to be learned. "We are disappointed and frustrated it happened. It was an important match for us," he told ESPNcricinfo. "We'll have to make sure it doesn't happen again."

However, Fraser also suggested that because Morgan is still employed by the ECB on a central contact that it would be quite difficult for Middlesex to discipline him as he is not contracted to them.

The majority of Middlesex's squad travelled north on Sunday evening following the abandoned game against Leicestershire at Uxbridge although a couple of players were allowed to drive up on the morning of game. Fraser said the club were aware that Morgan wanted to take the train.

During his lengthy journey, Morgan tweeted: "Just the 7 hours to Manchester... not sure the train is an option any more!!"

He arrived shortly after the scheduled start time at Old Trafford, ironically as rain was falling so Middlesex's innings had been suspended, and watched from the dressing room. The game was curtailed to a 16-over aside match and Middlesex could only muster 97 for 8 with Lancashire chasing a slightly revised target with ease.

The result left both teams level on eight points but Lancashire jumped ahead of Middlesex by virtue of having four victories to Middlesex's three. Morgan's travel disruption could yet prove very costly for the county.