Eoin Morgan hopes England’s ‘feel-good factor’ continues into Ashes series

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan, left, celebrates with injured wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. Gareth Copley / Getty / June 20, 2015

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan hopes the feel-good factor generated by his side’s limited overs series win against New Zealand will carry on into next month’s Ashes series.

A miserable first-round exit at this year’s World Cup, which included an eight-wicket thrashing by eventual finalists New Zealand, and a subsequent 1-1 Test series draw away to the West Indies, left many England supporters fearful of the fate that might befall their side against old rivals Australia.

But there were encouraging signs during the recent 1-1 Test series draw, while the bold manner in which England played during a dramatic 3-2 one-day triumph over New Zealand reinvigorated players and fans alike.

“I think there is a great feel-good factor going around cricket at the moment and it started with the Test series against New Zealand, which was very competitive,” said Morgan after Saturday’s thrilling one-day series clinching success in Durham.

“Let’s hope going into the Ashes we can maintain that support throughout the summer and it makes a contribution to the result,” added the former Ireland batsman, not currently involved in England’s Test set-up.

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Also on the ‘outside looking in’, for the time being at least, ahead of the first Ashes Test against Australia in Cardiff is Riverside match-winner Jonny Bairstow.

The Yorkshireman was only called into England’s one-day squad on Friday after fellow wicket-keeper Jos Buttler suffered a hand injury during fielding practice which cast a cloud over his Ashes prospects.

Bairstow marked his unexpected return to England duty with an unbeaten 83 in a three-wicket win under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

England, who had slumped to 45 for five, chased down a revised target of 192 in 26 overs with six balls to spare after a lengthy rain delay prior to their innings.

Bairstow, like Morgan, is not a member of the 14-man pre-Ashes training squad in Spain that will represent new Australian coach Trevor Bayliss’s introduction to the England set-up.

But he did his Test cause no harm with a first ODI fifty, facing 60 balls in total, including 11 fours.

Bairstow’s innings came against the backdrop of the recent passing of his grandfather.

It was also a display that sparked fond memories of his late father David, himself a former Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper.

“It was a pretty tough time for us as a family,” Bairstow said.

“But we’ve been through it before and it just shows how strong we Bairstows are.

“It’s a trait we’ve had, and I’m sure those of you that have watched my dad play cricket for 20 years will see that. It’s something that runs in the blood.”

As for adding to his 14 Test caps, the 25-year-old Bairstow — now also in the squad for Tuesday’s lone Twenty20 against New Zealand at Old Trafford — said: “To get the Three Lions back on is fantastic and who knows what’s round the corner?”

But former England off-spinner Graeme Swann warned that if Australia paceman Mitchell Starc hits top form, there was no way England would regain the Ashes.

Swann retired during England’s 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2013/14, a series where Starc’s fellow left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson took 37 wickets at 14 apiece.

But it is Starc who has been leading the way in recent times for World Cup champions Australia.

And Swann even suggested that Johnson would not make the Test side as Australia seek a first Ashes series win in England since 2001.

“I don’t think Mitchell Johnson will play in the team,” Swann said. “He’s not the Mitchell to worry about.

“Mitchell Starc is, above and beyond, the best match-winning player they’ve got at the minute.

“If Mitchell Starc bowls well, I don’t think England have got any hope of winning the Ashes. If they nullify him in some way, then they’ve got a chance.”

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