Friday 4 September 2015

No Rum for Captain Morgan


Captain Eoin Morgan thinks his England side are better than they showed during their 59-run defeat to Australia in the first one-day international at the Ageas Bowl.

The hosts reduced Australia to 193-6 but then allowed them to reach 305-6 as Matthew Wade (71 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (40 not out) made hay.

England then reached 112-1 in response, only to lose their way and slump to 194-7, before eventually being dismissed for 246.

And Morgan had no doubt that the batting side of the equation was where England really fell short.

Asked where the game was lost, he said: "The 10-15 overs in the middle of the chase where Australia bowled pretty well.

"I thought if we had come out of that period where they did bowl well unscathed, we should have chased it down quite easily.

"We got off to a fantastic start. Alex Hales and Jason Roy (67) set the tone early and, when we get off to a start like that, we should be chasing down 305.

"I thought Australia defended the score pretty well and put us under the pump but I think we are a better side than that."

Roy and James Taylor (49) were England's two top scorers but the one-day side have generally batted well this summer and Morgan was not too angry about the fact no one recorded a really big score.

"It is frustrating, but I don't want to take anything away from the way the guys play naturally," he said.

"We have seen what they can do, we just want to see more of it."

Australia plundered 93 off their last 10 overs and Morgan added: "You can always do things differently.

"We will look back at our plans and our execution of them and see how they look on replays and obviously try and improve them for Lord's (on Saturday).

"But, certainly, at the start of the game, we would have taken that score (305)."

Australia have stolen a march in the five-match series but Morgan was not too downcast and, when asked if the defeat was a major setback, he replied: "Absolutely not.

"Australia are a very strong side and we will have to play very well to beat them. Today was an opportunity that has gone amiss but we are certainly looking forward to Lord's.

"The games come thick and fast, we are excited about playing the world champions, and it is another opportunity."

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid impressed for England, removing the top four in the Australia order as they slipped back after a good start and finishing with 4-59.

Morgan said: "Adil has come on leaps and bounds since the start of our summer.

"He bowled well in the New Zealand series, he has been working really hard at Yorkshire and, obviously, he has been in and around the Test team.

"For him to hold his nerve today against a very good batting line-up, I was very impressed."


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