Morgan Wants England Progression Despite Series Win

2 Jul 2016 | Cricket
Eoin Morgan has called upon England\'s One-Day side to keep improving in the build up to the ICC Champions Trophy next year and the 2019 World Cup.

Morgan saw his team run out comprehensive winners by 122 runs at The SSE SWALEC in Cardiff today to seal a 3-0 triumph in the Royal London ODI series.

Joe Root's 93 and Jos Buttler's 70 from 45 balls set up the victory, but Morgan tempered the celebrations by challenging England to continue their meteoric rise in 50-over cricket with more improvement.

Morgan took a moment to bask in the clinical performance in front of a joyous Welsh crowd in Cardiff today

He said: "A very convincing performance and there was no let up at all. To come out and perform like that when there wasn't a great deal riding on the game sums up the desire within the group.

"It was a very poor start (to the series) if I'm honest, it was a get-out-of-jail-free card (at Trent Bridge) and a few individual performances got us out of jail. It was brilliant to come out of that game without being wounded."

Morgan saw his England team recover from that tie in the opening encounter in Nottingham, to storm to three victories in the three remaining full games played, with rain causing an abandonment at Bristol.

The Irish-born batsman then called upon his troops to carry their improved cricket into series against higher-ranked sides such as South Africa, who tour England and Wales next summer and the likes of New Zealand and Australia who England will meet in the Champions Trophy next year.

Morgan added: "'We're always striving to improve. I don't think you can rest on your laurels regardless of how you're doing.

"We've played well but we still have to make improvements, particularly with the fielding. Our top order have been outstanding and Jos obviously was unbelievable today and our bowlers are forever finding different ways to improve their skills."

England's bowling attack was tested by the injury absence of all-rounder Ben Stokes, with Chris Woakes returning to the side with great effect and strong displays from seamers Liam Plunket and David Willey, as well as leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Morgan admitted being impressed by his bowling unit, before challenging them to repeat their form in the future.

He added: "We have a great deal of variation in our attack and the guys took on the responsibility very well.

"We've made strides throughout this series, particuarly when the ball got a bit softer, but we'll have to keep improving against higher-ranked teams."

England's next match is the T20 international against Sri Lanka at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, before the test series with Pakistan only a couple of weeks away.