Eoin’s happy to take on best
EOIN MORGAN is backing his side to prove their worth against the best side in the world over the next six days. And the England skipper believes the result of the threematch series against South Africa will see them justify their tag as favourites for the Champions Trophy, which starts at The Oval on June 1. Ahead of today’s 50-over opener at Headingley, Morgan said: “It is really exciting for us to be starting our prep in this series against one of the best sides in the world, one full of accomplished players and experienced players. “And while it is going to be tough, I feel this is almost the best preparation for the Champions Trophy. “We are looking for momentum and we would like to win games and win the series, but I think we can contend.” South Africa go into the game on the back of a run of 12 ODI wins on the bounce, including 5-0 clean sweeps against Australia and Sri Lanka which took them to the top of the ICC rankings. In AB de Villiers they have the best batsman in the world game in 50-over cricket and in Imran Tahir arguably the most effective spinner. Morgan’s side have enjoyed a decent run since they left South Africa early last year, having let slip a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2, winning five of their six series, 15 of their 19 matches and consolidating fifth spot in the rankings. “We learned lessons from the South Africa series – you can lose a game but not lose a lesson,” Morgan added. “We did that and it is important that we go and play the way we have done in the last two years.” Morgan said he took the favourites tag as a compliment, adding: “It is a ruthless tournament and if you don’t start well, it can hurt you and you can be out before you know it.” England want to give everyone in the 15-man squad a chance in the three matches, so Jonny Bairstow and one from David Willey, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett could miss out at their home ground today. ¬Ê Jimmy Anderson could miss the first Test against South Africa in July after suffering a torn groin bowling for Lancashire last Friday.