Morgan in awe of batting showing

EOIN Morgan hopes England have established a ‘new normal’ after again overpowering Australia to put themselves on the verge of an unprecedented 5-0 one-day international whitewash of their Ashes rivals.

England turned a record Chester-le-Street run chase of 310-8 into a formality, with six wickets and more than five overs to spare, after Jason Roy (101) hit his second hundred in under a week.

He and Jonny Bairstow (79) shared their fifth century opening stand in this format, more than any others for England, and kept up an unstoppable barrage of boundaries to put on 174 together in just 23.4 overs.

Australia’s more conservative approach yielded successive century partnerships too as both Aaron Finch (100) and Shaun Marsh (101) reached three figures.

However, even after Roy and Bairstow departed in succession, Jos Buttler (54 not out) took over with a 28-ball half-century to hasten England to a 4-0 lead with one match to play at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Asked for his reaction to the openers’ superlative batting, Morgan said: “If it does become the ‘normal’, that would be awesome because it creates an unbelievable tone at the top of the order.

“I think the form the two guys are in is phenomenal. I think we’ve found a new gear, or a new level of intensity.”

No 3 Alex Hales has admitted he may struggle to hold his place, despite his 147 in Tuesday’s world-record 481-6 at Trent Bridge, once key all-rounder Ben Stokes is fit again.

Morgan added: “I’m glad we’re spoiled for guys in form at the moment, because I’ve been in teams where those next in or fighting for places can’t get a run.

“This is a really privileged position to be in.”