Eoin Morgan at the first npower Test match in Nottingham. Pic: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Eoin Morgan is proud of a great achievement after recording his maiden Test hundred at only the third attempt.

The 23-year-old Irishman shared a record unbroken double-century stand with Paul Collingwood, reaching stumps on 125 to his partner’s 81 out of 331 for four on day one of the four-match npower series at Trent Bridge.

The recovery they engineered for England was much needed at 118 for four, after Andrew Strauss had chosen to bat first under cloud cover and teenager Mohammad Aamer (three for 39) had once again shown what a dangerous bowler he already is.

Morgan began cautiously but rarely looked in any trouble, save for an edge short of the wicketkeeper on five and an lbw escape to Danish Kaneria via the decision review system on 78.

He went on to reach his century with a resounding straight six off Shoaib Malik, confirming to the doubters that he surely does have what it takes to succeed at Test as well as limited-overs international level.

“It’s extremely satisfying, to score a Test match hundred in only my third game,” he said.

“It’s a great achievement, and I’m very proud of myself.

“The feeling of getting to three figures was fantastic.

“It was a huge moment in my career.”

Morgan had not planned to go to his hundred with a six – but was delighted to accept the invitation to do so.

“I was glad when he lobbed it up.

“I wasn’t even in that frame of mind, because they’d brought the field up – and I wasn’t expecting him to dart it in.

“But when he threw it up I freed my hands and threw everything at it.”

Much hard work had preceded that moment, for both Morgan and Collingwood.

“The major fact of my innings was I allowed myself to get in, in difficult circumstances,” he said.

“Paul and I set up a great platform for ourselves, getting past that swing – and then took advantage when the wicket went flat and the ball a bit soft.”

Pakistan did not help themselves, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in particular having a tough time – dropping a straightforward catch to reprieve Strauss early on and then missing an even easier stumping when Collingwood was on 48.

It was Akmal too who was entrusted with the responsibility of Pakistan’s DRS policy – which went wrong when they blew both their permitted failed chances within two overs shortly after lunch.

Umar Amin was not a central player, but it was left to him to confirm: “We were in a good position, but unfortunately we gave it away.

“Eoin Morgan played a fantastic innings.”

Amin was not ideally placed for either of Pakistan’s failed reviews against Kevin Pietersen but said: “I thought at the time they were out.

“I just consider it a hard day at the office.”

This spectacular performance from Morgan has no doubt secured him a place in the England test side for this summer’s Ashes series in Australia.

The Irish-born Middlesex batsman managed to retain his place ahead of Essex’s Ravi Bopara for this first Test against Pakistan, having made scores of 44 and 37 in his first two five-day games against Bangladesh earlier this year.

England selector Geoff Miller told BBC Radio Five Live: “Bopara has been playing really well but we want to see a bit more from Eoin, he played well for Middlesex in his last game.

“We have an eye on the winter as well and we have got to make sure that the equation is sorted, so Eoin keeps his place.”

That decision was backed by Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser, who saw Morgan make 58 not out as he and England team mate Steven Finn dug in to stave off defeat against Sussex earlier in the month.

On the limited-overs specialist’s suitability for the longer form, Fraser told Sky Sports News: “Yes, he’s got all the shots to play Twenty20 and to star in one-day cricket but the great thing about Eoin is that he plays the situation and he’s got the game to do that, so I think he will make a real success of Test cricket too.”

Morgan made it clear too that he for one has never had any concerns about his ability to translate his Twenty20 and 50-over knack to five-day cricket.

“I don’t think I have any doubt about my talent. I’m quite a confident player, and a guy who likes expressing himself.”

Morgan declared for England in the hope of fulfilling his dream of playing test cricket.

Since the 1998-99 Ashes series, a Waterford Crystal representation of the Ashes urn has been presented to the winners of an Ashes series as the official trophy.