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Series win is England's best yet says skipper

Limited overs captain Eoin Morgan rapt with Gillette ODI Series win as England continue build-up to home World Cup

England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan has hailed his team's series victory in Australia as the best performance from the side since their white-ball revolution in 2015.

England have won nine of 11 one-day series in the past two years, after their administration prioritised the 50-over form of the game following their shock group exit from the last World Cup.

But after the disappointment of the Ashes loss for the Test side, Morgan was most impressed by the team's efforts to claim their first ever bilateral one-day series win in Australia.

"This series has a potential to exploit some of the weaknesses or cracks within the group," he said.

"And I thought we responded incredibly well to that.

"(Sunday's win) was our best performance as a group to date in the past two years."

Brilliant Buttler punishes Aussies with rapid ton

England have now risen to No.3 in the world one-day rankings as a result of the opening three victories, but well within touching distance of South Africa and India in the top two spots.

They should now be considered genuine threats to win their maiden World Cup next year, to be played in their home conditions.

Their results have largely been driven with the bat, given their run rate of 6.38 last season was well above the next best figure of 6.00 from South Africa.

Smith departs after controversial dismissal

They have also now gone at a rate of above a run a ball in each of their past eight matches, something attacking dynamo Jos Buttler said was largely down to players being encouraged to be adventurous with a modern style of batting.

"It's more of a mindset," said Buttler, who hit an even 100no on Sunday.


"From 2015 onwards it's something we've always talked about in the mindset and we've stuck by guys who have tried to play in that fashion even if it hasn't come off for them.

"I think that creates a lot of continuity and confidence for guys to go out and play in that fashion."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG

Second ODI England won by four wickets at the Gabba

Third ODI England won by 16 runs at the SCG

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21