Eoin: Being No.1 isn’t main focus

EOIN Morgan is unconcerned about the possibility of England losing top spot in the one-day international rankings as the limited-overs captain revealed he is a doubt for his side’s next match against India in Pune due to injury.

India won the first of three ODIs between the top two ranked nations, with England unable to capitalise on Jonny Bairstow’s dashing 94 from 66 balls as they collapsed from 135 for nought to 251 all out to lose by 66 runs.

A clean sweep would lead to England being usurped from the No.1 position they have held for much of the last three years, but a typically pragmatic Morgan is unfazed at the prospect as he sees the bigger picture.

He said: “We don’t guard it at all, it’s not something we talk about in the changing room. Everything is built towards planning being competitive at a World Cup and trying to improve our skills over that period of time.

“It’s about building a group of players that, hopefully, will bring something really top-quality in a World Cup.

“We’re already at the stage where we can compete, but obviously building on top of that and tweaking as we go along is a hugely important factor because you become exposed to different situations.

“Then you gain points of reference the whole way along your journey and try to re-engage with them if you experience them in a World Cup situation.”

England’s defeat was compounded by injuries to Morgan and Sam Billings.

Morgan required four stitches on his right hand after splitting the webbing between his thumb and index finger while in the field.

Billings landed awkwardly on the left shoulder he had previously dislocated.

Both were able to bat in England’s doomed pursuit of India’s 317-5 but the injuries place a question mark over their availabilities for Friday’s penultimate encounter.