Eoin Morgan expressed surprise by the size of England’s 104-run victory over South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup at the Oval, writes DANIEL GALLAN in London. 

Morgan was confident heading into the match when he admitted that his side deserved being labeled ‘favourites’.

England backed this statement up with a heavy defeat over the Proteas. They walked out 104-run victors, a win that startled the the now humble England skipper.

‘No I didn’t [expect it],’ Morgan said. ‘I think given the nature of the pitch and the way South Africa bowled, we were finding our Plan-A game with the bat for quite some time. At halfway, we didn’t believe we had enough runs.’

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Morgan credited South Africa’s bowlers who troubled his batsmen – something few attacks have managed to do over the last four years – and said he backs his opponents on the day to be a threat going forward.

He also stressed the significance of coming through a challenging period to post a competitive total.

‘It’s extremely pleasing. I’d probably back us to lose four early wicket and still go at least five an over. We bat all the way down. We’ve been 8-5, 20-5, and still put a reasonable score on the board and fought right until the end and still believed we can win the game.

‘If we lose wickets early, which we probably will at some stage, we’ll have to deal with that situation.’

Morgan has several X-factor players in his side and two of them starred today.

Ben Stokes top scored with 89 off 79 balls, picked up 2-12 in 2.5 overs and held on to a sensational over head catch to remove Andile Phehlukwayo on 24 just as he was opening up.

‘He had a full day out,’ Morgan said. ‘When he does it’s extremely entertaining. His all-round game was on and that’s great for us at the start of the tournament.’

Jofra Archer played a leading role with the ball. His 3-24 off 7 overs accounted for the wickets of Faf du Plessis, Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen. He also rattled Hashim Amla on the head, forcing the opener off with concussion concerns.

‘He gives us another string to our bow,’ Morgan said of his new pacer. ‘For him to bowl as quickly and as accurately today on a slow wicket, I think it shows he’s in good form.’

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– Gallan is a London-based freelance cricket writer, follow him on Twitter: @danielgallan 

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images