England captain Eoin Morgan is impressed with the way the youngsters in the team have raised their game and have started to deliver at the international stage.
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England won the third ODI against Australia at Old Trafford to keep the five-match series alive with brilliant performances from James Taylor (101), opener Jason Roy (63), leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2-41) and offie Moeen Ali (3-32).
Morgan himself chipped in with a classy 62 to power England to 300 for eight.
The hosts can still sneak a clean sweep of series victories in all formats this summer against their Ashes rivals, if they prevail again in the final two matches at Headingley on Friday and then back to Manchester on Sunday.
Morgan believes he is among several players currently making important strides for England in the 50-over format.
“We have seen a lot of players grow up, and that’s crucial – because when you come up against a side like Australia, if you’re not learning, they can hurt you,” the skipper said.
“But I think we are learning. I’ve seen a lot of progress over the last three games – you can always make some progress, whether you win or lose.
“We have done that, and it will be a continued test against Australia throughout the rest of the series.”
Among the improvers is Roy, who gave England a flying start after Morgan won the toss. The captain said of the young opener: “He appeared to make it look easy… effortless, it was great to watch. I suppose that is credit to the work he put in before the start of the series.”
He was also impressed with both spinners Ali and Rashid who tied Australia down on a wicket that offered some help to them.
“It was very promising,” he said. “Having options of turning it either way is crucial.
“Adil, as I’ve said before, is vital to a side when he bowls well – because he can beat the bat on both sides. Moeen gives it a real good rip, and doesn’t bowl many bad balls.”
Morgan said he knows how infuriating Taylor can be to play against, so is delighted to have him in his team winning matches for England.
Morgan, who put on 119 for the third wicket with Taylor in Manchester, said: “He is great to bat with. He’s rapid between the wickets – he sort of laps me, which is quite enjoyable.
“He’s very unique, the way he plays. Having played against him a lot in county cricket, he can be annoying to captain against – which is always a good sign, if he then gets runs for us.”
