Morgan keen to kick off in style

ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan has backed the Twenty20 tri-series format to bring out his side’s best in their opener against Australia at Blundstone Arena.

England is looking to ride the wave of an impressive 4-1 ODI series win over Australia when the sides meet tonight.

Morgan said the tournament-style triseries, to be played in Australia and New Zealand, added another element of intrigue.

“I’m a massive fan of the tri-series,” he said yesterday. “I think they bring that tournament-based competitive nature out in every team and you have the carrot of a final at the end.”

England is yet to settle on its final XI after several players shook off injuries.

Alex Hales (hand), Jason Roy, (back spasms) are expected to be at the top of the order but quick Liam Plunkett (hamstring) is unlikely. Quick Chris Jordan will be available after overcoming a hamstring niggle.

“We have guys who are pressing cases for different positions, they’re good decisions to be making,” Morgan said.

A trump card for England could be left- handed all-rounder David Willey, who smacked 79 from 36 balls and took three wickets in a practice match against the PM’s XI. Willey, who was promoted to open the innings, hit five straight sixes in taking 34 runs off Test spinner Nathan Lyon’s first over.

In Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye, Australia has several rookie quicks at international level, but Morgan — who played two seasons with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League — has faced them all bar Billy Stanlake. He said players were getting a read on others’ styles across the many Twenty20 leagues.