Cricket World Cup 2019: England's Eoin Morgan admits batting second is 'tougher'

Captain believes wickets are becoming harder to score on as games progress as he looks forward to Wednesday's game with New Zealand

England's Eoin Morgan stretches during Tuesday's training session in Durham. PA Photo

The pitches prepared for the Cricket World Cup do not last the full 100 overs and have not aided batsmen chasing a score in the second innings, England captain Eoin Morgan said on Tuesday.

Many teams have found it difficult to chase big totals at the World Cup, with the pitch appearing to slow down and the ball not coming on to the bat as quickly as in first innings.

India's unbeaten run at the tournament came to an end after England beat them by 31 runs on Sunday, despite having five wickets in hand, with Indian batsmen blaming the slowness of the pitch after they were unable to hit boundaries.

"I think every wicket that we have played on so far has been tougher to bat on in the second innings, regardless if we had won or not," Morgan told reporters ahead of Wednesday's match against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street.

"Even the games I have watched on TV, it's been tougher (in the) second innings... The wickets haven't been as good as they have in the last four years."

The wicket at Durham may prove to be one that bucks the trend for Wednesday's action though.

South Africa won by nine wickets against Sri Lanka in the first World Cup match there on June 28, before the West Indies, despite losing to Sri Lanka, still made 315-9 batting second on Monday.

England's final group game against New Zealand at the venue is a virtual quarter-final for the host nation, who must win to guarantee themselves a semi-final spot.

Pakistan, who face Bangladesh in their last group stage game on Friday, are one point behind England in the table.

"Two defeats (to Australia and Sri Lanka) does that," Morgan added, referring to their precarious position ahead of the clash.

"It was clear that after the Australia game, there was a huge amount of disappointment in the changing room.

"The fact that we've been able to turn that around, identify where we are at and what we need to do in order to progress to the semis, made things clear about how we want to continue to play, which haven't changed ... it's been effective."

Opening batsman Jason Roy helped pave the way for that result, making 66 on his return after three games out with a torn hamstring. Morgan admitted prior to that match that it was a risk to recall the Surrey man at Edgbaston but appeared more confident this time.

"He's good, he's going to be fit for tomorrow's game," said the Dubliner.

"He's in fantastic form, him and Jonny Bairstow at the top of the order. In the India game it really did set the tone for our innings on a wicket we feel wasn't that good to bat on."

There was an equally optimistic outlook on Jofra Archer, the side's leading wicket-taker who has been managing a left side problem for several games now.

"He's pulled up really well and should be fit to play," said Morgan.

The last time England faced New Zealand at the World Cup in 2015, they were bowled out for 123, a total the Kiwis chased in less than 13 overs. Morgan said that although that defeat was humiliating, it was also a learning experience for the players

"It was as close to rock bottom as I've been, certainly as a captain, as a player, being beaten off the park like that is humiliating," Morgan said.

"New Zealand proved a point that you can be really good humans and grow the game and play cricket in your own way and win at the same time, which is incredibly eye-opening for a lot of countries around the world.

"I thought that rubbed off on everybody in the World Cup."