Morgan reaps reward of patient approach

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In all, 94 centuries have now been scored by England in one-day internationals. The most recent, compiled by Eoin Morgan at the Rose Bowl late on Tuesday night, was among not only the quickest but also the very best. It had verve, nerve and occasionally swerve.

While he was about it, Morgan also confirmed that within little more than a year he has become one of the most accomplished limited-overs batsmen in the world. What made it truly outstanding, as England beat Australia by four wickets in the first match of the NatWest Series, was Morgan's serenity.

He came in when England were in trouble which, at 97 for four in pursuit of 268, was in danger of becoming deep trouble. But his patience as he felt himself into the match was consummate. The innings spanned only 85 balls but it was not until the 19th of them that he struck the first of his 16 fours. The pace and timing, embellished by the bravura quality of his strokes, were impeccable.

And Morgan's reaction to it the afternoon after? "Playing against a big side like Australia and given the circumstances I was quite proud of myself actually," he said. He does not bring much of the expansiveness of his strokes to his language.

The victory, achieved with four overs to spare, has set the series up beautifully. England ought to avoid misplaced confidence but they should now know that Australia, with one of their less probing attacks, can be beaten over five matches, the second of which will be played under lights in Cardiff today.

To chase such a score, which England have done successfully only five out of more than 30 occasions when it has been asked of them, is never easy. The pitch was flat but under lights in an English summer twilight presents its own set of difficulties.

England have become a team whose members know what is expected of them. They have several players who both bat and bowl, but who are much more than bits and pieces merchants. Both Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan played instrumental roles on Tuesday with both bat and ball: without them Morgan could not have done what he did.

Numbers five and six can be the most arduous in one-day cricket, as demonstrated when England almost found themselves in the mire. But they have gradually developed a set of players who know what they are doing and will also stand up to Australia in tricky circumstances.

Morgan's innings embodied that and as he said: "It's something I've learned with experience. I've batted at four or five a long time and been in different situations. I've made plenty of mistakes in those situations but over the last couple of years I give myself a lot more time to do the power-hitting I have worked on. The longer I spend at the crease the more I give myself a chance."

Australia will come at England hard. But then they never come at England soft. Their captain Ricky Ponting will not have fond memories of Cardiff. It was there in 2005 that he led them to defeat against Bangladesh and it was there last summer that he failed to lead them to victory in the first Ashes Test when England hung on for 11 overs with their last pair at the crease.

England will probably be unchanged at this stage in the series. Their captain Andrew Strauss needs some runs quickly. Australia may omit the 19-year-old fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and give Clint McKay his first game in England. But it is possible that they will include the leg-spinner Steven Smith. England's use of their spin pair, Graeme Swann and Mike Yardy, was exemplary on Tuesday. Nor was it alone in being so.

Match details

Probable teams:

England AJ Strauss (capt), C Kieswetter, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, EJG Morgan, LJ Wright, TT Bresnan, MH Yardy, GP Swann, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson.

Australia RT Ponting (capt), SR Watson, TD Paine, MJ Clarke, CL White, MEK Hussey, JR Hopes, SPD Smith, NM Hauritz, RJ Harris, DE Bollinger.

Umpires Aleem Dar (Pakistan), NJ Llong (England).

Pitch report Although it has been dug up and probably used for its best purpose of growing potatoes, Sophia Gardens is still likely to be on the low, slow, turgid side. Both England's previous one-dayers there have been washouts.

Start time 2.30pm.

TV Sky Sports.