2nd ODI: Captain Morgan expects better from England at Lord’s

England (13/10 for victory with Coral) will be left wondering what could’ve been after their 59-run loss to Australia (8/13) in the first of five ODIs, as they squandered a good start to their innings as they chased the visitors’ 305 total.

Openers Jason Roy (67) and Alex Hales (22), along with number three and four batsmen James Taylor (49) and Eoin Morgan (38), looked as though they were on the way to handing the hosts a 1-0 series lead. They are respective 7/2, 10/3, 4/1 and 4/1 chances to be best England batsmen in the second ODI at Lord’s.

However, the following seven in the order completely collapsed, with Moeen Ali getting the highest score of just 17.

Captain Morgan was not impressed with his side, and said: “The [game was lost in 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 set the tone early and, when we get off to a start like that, we should be chasing down 305.

Yorkshire leg spinner Adil Rashid gave England a chance by taking the first four wickets, to restrict Australia to a relatively gettable score at one point, but lower order Baggy Greens Matthew Wade (71) and Mitchell Marsh (40) smashed them past 300.

Rashid, who took figures of 4-59 and is aiming to get into England’s Test team against Pakistan, is 4/1 to be top hosts bowler again.