England ODI captain Eoin Morgan says an aggressive batting style has been key to improvement
Thursday 2 March 2017 19:46, UK
England ODI captain Eoin Morgan is convinced their aggressive style of batting and belief in the players’ abilities has seen them improve since their poor display at the 2015 World Cup.
Some meek performances in Australia and New Zealand, culminating in a group-stage exit after they lost to Bangladesh, saw England adopt a more high-tempo attitude to limited-overs cricket.
Evidence of just how far they have progressed will be further assessed during their three-match ODI series against West Indies, which begins in Antigua on Friday - live on Sky Sports - as they prepare to host the ICC Champions Trophy in June.
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Despite their opponents having failed to qualify for that tournament, having slumped to ninth in the ODI world rankings, they will still offer a stern test to Morgan's side on home soil but the England skipper is in confident mood.
"One of the strengths we've shown over the last two years is playing this aggressive brand of cricket, especially with the bat," Morgan told Sky Sports News HQ.
"You have to give guys more of a chance and you have to back up your decision making and your aggressive nature with confidence in selecting and giving guys the chance to go about their business.
"We identified that we were behind with the bat and we needed to be a bit more expansive and ambitious about the way went about setting or chasing totals, and everyone has bought into that.
"We've selected a side and a squad capable of going out and performing above their best. They're not afraid to take things on, and everybody's mindset from there on in has been the exact same.
"We haven't been afraid to think outside the box and try new and shoot the lights out and get 400 at different stages. That's been very pleasing as a group and as a captain.
"The bowling has been a little more challenging. With identifying where we were at as a batting unit, I'd probably say that international bowling in 50-over cricket has become more difficult since then.
"Everyone is trying to catch up with the progression of the 2015 World Cup, and the average totals being a lot higher than everywhere else and the fielding restrictions being tougher.
"It has been challenging. But again we are looking at different ways of trying to break it down. We haven't yet found one particular formula but are still looking.
"I think it's about adapting to conditions. Yes we do have one eye on the Champions Trophy, but coming here and adapting to conditions in the West Indies and trying to apply what we've done over the last two years to the conditions here I think is very important."
Opener Alex Hales will be missing as he continues his recovery from a hand injury, while his Nottinghamshire teammate Jake Ball is ruled out with a knee injury.
Either Sam Billings or Jonny Bairstow are expected to open the batting for England, although Morgan refused to reveal who will get the nod.
One of the strengths we've shown is playing this aggressive brand of cricket, especially with the bat.
"I am reasonably clear, but it might depend on injuries tomorrow [Friday]," Morgan said when asked who would open the batting.
"Jake isn't available for selection for the first game. His niggle hasn't come on as well as we'd thought, he is trying to get fit for the second game.
"Alex has got the all-clear to prep for playing as soon as possible. Again, he won't be fit for the first game. He needs to prove his fitness over the next two or three days in order to make himself available for selection.
"It's great to have him in and around the side again, particularly being so close to the Champions Trophy. We want the guys together as much as we can."
Watch the opening ODI between West Indies and England on Friday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 2 HD at 1pm.
