Dublin-born England captain Eoin Morgan has said he will not sing the national anthem before matches at the World Cup.

"It's pretty simple. I've never sung the national anthem whether I've played for Ireland or England," said Morgan, who has represented England since 2009.

"It doesn't make me any less proud to be an English cricketer. I'm extremely proud to be in the position I am in and privileged to be captain of a World Cup side."

When asked to explain why he would not sing God Save the Queen, the 28-year-old said: "It's a long story. It's a personal thing."

Morgan, who played 23 times for Ireland, has made 181 appearances for England in all formats and was made captain for the World Cup after Alastair Cook stood down following his lean tour of Sri Lanka before Christmas.

However, Morgan’s first tour has not been smooth. The England and Wales Cricket Board revealed he was the victim of a blackmail plot shortly before the Tri-Series match in Hobart. Morgan then saw his team heavily beaten in their opening two World Cup matches. England beat Scotland in Christchurch on Monday with a 119-run, but criticism over Morgan’s decision to not sing the national anthem is “another unwelcome distraction” the Belfast Telegraph reports.