Morgan insists Johnson is not a major threat

Australia

England ODI captain Eoin Morgan has blamed his side's poor batting for their loss in the tri-series final against Australia, and has denied that Mitchell Johnson was the defining factor.

Johnson took three wickets for 27 as the Aussies won the final in Perth by 112 runs. England were bowled out for 166, with Ravi Bopara top-scoring with a middling 33, and two batsmen out for golden ducks.

When asked if Johnson posed a big threat for their World Cup opening clash, and if they were unprepared for him on Sunday, Morgan insisted: "Absolutely not. I don't think he swung it.

"We put ourselves under pressure. I think it probably could have been anybody bowling. We had a really bad day. That's the best way to describe it."

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who made 95 and took four wickets, was baffled by Morgan's response, considering Morgan was one of Johnson's three top-order wickets and was bowled for a first ball duck.

Maxwell said: "What sort of comment is that? He had 3-11 at one stage and tore through the top order.

"They can be 'not worried' at all, but if they are getting skittled by him, they probably should be."

England's skipper continued his defiance by saying that the Aussies would be feeling all the pressure on Valentine's Day, given they are the hosts and had all expectations on them.

Morgan said: "I think the pressure builds on Australia from that perspective. They're a home side, first game of the World Cup, playing against a dangerous side.

"We're going out with all guns blazing. There's no pressure from our point of view."

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