Morgan buoyant after experimental England take down New Zealand

Eoin Morgan spoke glowingly about England’s latest crop of T20 debutants after securing a 3-2 series victory over New Zealand, with the captain stating: “we are further ahead than we thought.”
Without household names the likes of Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, the five-match series was seen as an opportunity to blood some of the country’s finest rising T20 stars.
Tom Banton, Lewis Gregory, Pat Brown, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson all made their senior England debuts, while veteran squad players James Vince and Dawid Malan returned to the fore with vital contributions at times.
The experience gained from such a hotly-contested series should serve England well ahead of next year’s World T20, and England skipper Morgan was more than pleased with the contributions of his newest charges.
With a Super Over once again required to break the deadlock between the two nations, Morgan was asked whether he foresaw this method making the headlines again so soon after the World Cup final: “No, not at all. I definitely thought there was going to be a result in an 11-over game.
“I thought we’d either chase it down or we’d get beaten quite comfortably.
“The fact it went down to the wire indicates how the guys applied themselves and the level of skill they produced to get close. It was brilliant again and another step forward for us as a group.”
Chris Jordan was ultimately the headline act for England on Sunday, scoring 12 from the last three deliveries, including four from the final one, to draw the tourists level.
READ: England beat New Zealand on Super Over because of course they do
After Jonny Bairstow and Morgan had both bludgeoned sixes to lift England to 17 in their Super Over, Jordan bowled with plenty of guile to restrict New Zealand to eight for one in their reply.
Jordan may already be an accomplished T20 performer for England but this tour has seen England’s next generation emerge – and Morgan believes they have put pressure on the more established stars rested from the series.
With the start of the T20 World Cup less than 12 months away, Morgan said: “It creates a really good headache for us when it comes to selection.
“We are further ahead than we thought and the guys on this tour who will probably miss out on South Africa (at the beginning of next year) have raised that benchmark for guys who come back in.
“They are now almost expected to score runs and expected to do well because of opportunities given and taken by these guys.”
READ MORE REACTION
Jordan draws on past Super Over experiences, Southee gracious in defeat
Bairstow opens up on Super Over drama, Morgan ecstatic with key man
Follow us on Twitter @Cricket365 and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
News
Jofra Archer returns career-best ODI figures as England claim consolation win
England won the third and final match against South Africa but had already lost the series.
-
England
Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler hit hundreds as England fight back in South Africa
Buttler’s men are bidding to avoid a series clean sweep and a sixth successive loss in the ODI format.
-
County Cricket
Tom Curran taking break from red-ball cricket for ‘my body and my mental health’
The 27-year-old has endured injury problems in recent years.
-
The Ashes
Olly Stone hopes to play a role in an England pace trio during this year’s Ashes
Stone hopes to play a role this summer along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
-
England
Olly Stone ready for whatever role is required to make England World Cup squad
‘Any way in the England team, I’ll snap someone’s hand off,’ said Stone.
-
Women's Cricket
Dane van Niekerk ‘absolutely broken’ to miss World Cup over fitness standards
The South Africa captain was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.
-
England
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.