England are boosted by their pre-tournament favourites tag ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against South Africa.
After winning their final warm-up game with a nine-wicket thrashing of Afghanistan, skipper Eoin Morgan says: “It’s a huge compliment to be considered favourites this time. I would much rather that than not even be considered as contenders.”
The hosts dominated at the Oval, bowling out the Asians for 160 in 38.4 overs, before Jason Roy’s unbeaten 89 off 46 balls lead them to victory.
Jonny Bairstow added a 22-ball 39, while Joe Root scored 29.
The hosts 👊 pic.twitter.com/VxdztUBhmH
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 26, 2019
Morgan, who is recovering from a finger injury, adds: “It does a huge amount for confidence when Jason is hitting it as well as that.
“It imposes our game on the opposition and feeds right through the changing room.
“And Jonny Bairstow is the same. When you play as convincingly as that it builds confidence in the hard work you’ve done, both in training and in the game.”