MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 19:36:50| >> :600:831806:831806:

Eoin Morgan: 'England were close to perfect'

England captain Eoin Morgan believes that his side were "close to perfect" in the 210-run victory over New Zealand.

Eoin Morgan has expressed his delight after watching England claim a 210-run victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international at Edgbaston.

Centuries from Joe Root and Jos Buttler helped the hosts post their record ODI score of 408-9 before the Black Caps slipped to 198 all out, and Morgan was quick to lavish the new-look side with praise as they clinched the advantage in the series.

"It was outstanding, as close to the perfect performance in an ODI game that you'll find," the captain told BBC Sport. "For a long time we've talked of an aggressive brand of cricket and today we produced it.

"We normally go into our shells, that's just how we play cricket in England because the ball moves around.

"Slowly but surely we have to move to the other end of the spectrum and stop playing safe cricket. Today is a big step towards that."

England's tally of 14 sixes is the most they have ever recorded in an ODI.

ID:227305: cacheID:227305:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2104:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jos Buttler of England celebrates his century during the 4th Royal London One Day International match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's Cricket Ground on May 31, 2014
Read Next:
England post record ODI score against NZ
>