Eoin Morgan: Difficult for England to regroup from heavy loss

Eoin Morgan looks dejected after England’s loss to New Zealand

Wellington, Feb 20 (IANS) England cricket captain Eoin Morgan believes it will be difficult to regroup his side after their dismal eight-wicket loss against New Zealand in a World Cup match on Friday. The English batting collapsed like a pack of cards folding up for a mere 123 runs in 33.2 overs at the Westpac Stadium here.

Right-arm swing-bowler Southee (7/33 in nine overs) produced a devastating display to bamboozle England. It was New Zealander's best bowling in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and the World Cup and the third best by any bowler in the tournament's 11 editions.

Only middle-order batter Joe Root made a notable contribution of 46 runs for England. To add to their humiliation, skipper Brendon McCullum made a mockery of their bowling blazing a 25-ball 77 to complete the New Zealand victory in just 12.2 overs.

"They bowled really well, it swung throughout our innings, which was pretty unexpected. We expected it to be batting friendly throughout the innings. We have lost the first two games, it will be difficult to regroup from hereon," said Morgan on Friday.

The captain, however, praised his counterpart McCullum for his destructive innings.

"We concentrate on simple things from here on. I feel a lot better as batsman after today. McCullum is not the ideal candidate to be bowling at when you have only 123 on board," added the 28-year-old.