Eoin Morgan says England ODI win over West Indies was not easy

Eoin Morgan admits England's batsmen laboured to victory on a sluggish pitch in the first one-day international against the West Indies in Antigua.

With the start delayed due to rain, Morgan went through to his 10th ODI ton as England increased the tempo late in the innings to post 296-6 from their 50 overs, Sam Billings (52) and Ben Stokes (55) making half-centuries in a 45-run win.

Morgan, who was dropped at slip on four, said: "I don't think it's easy or pretty (here).

"Any of the batsmen who scored runs took a lot more time than they normally do to get themselves in."

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West Indies undoubtedly had the best of the conditions, but, despite a maiden ODI half-century for Jason Mohammed (72) and 52 from Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder's team were bowled out for 251 in the 48th over as Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes shared eight wickets.

Asked if he felt England were always holding the run chase, Morgan said: "I'd probably say so, yes.

"Having been out there for the last 10 overs of our innings and knowing how hard it was to clear the ropes and gain momentum to have a big over of 18 or 20, I think we were ahead of the game through most of it. But certainly they pushed us."

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Morgan had reason to thank the development of a StemGuard addition to his helmet when he was struck on the neck by a Shannon Gabriel bouncer on 48.

"We encourage everybody to wear them," he added. "I was early on the shot. It gripped a little bit, (but) I was absolutely fine."

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West Indies lost three early wickets for the addition of only three runs, after which Morgan did not use all-rounder Stokes, who signed a £1.7m Indian Premier League deal in February.

"That wasn't pre-planned," said Morgan. "It was more how their spinners bowled at us. I thought they were pretty effective, particularly early on. I didn't feel the need to go to Ben."

Watch the second ODI between the West Indies and England from 1pm on Sunday, Sky Sports 2.