England skipper Eoin Morgan confident morale still intact ahead of Champions Trophy kick-off after Proteas pummelling

England captain remains upbeat heading into the Champions Trophy despite a seven-wicket defeat by South Africa at Lord’s

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England captain Eoin Morgan before the presentation after winning the ODI series with South Africa. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:30am, 30 May 2017Updated: 3:43pm, 31 May 2017

England captain Eoin Morgan remained in upbeat mood heading into the Champions Trophy despite a seven-wicket defeat by South Africa at Lord’s on Monday.

The hosts collapsed to 20 for six – the first time any side had lost six wickets in the first five overs of a one-day international – after being sent into bat in overcast conditions and on a green-tinged pitch at ‘the home of cricket’.

South Africa’s pacemen duly cashed in, with Kagiso Rabada (four for 39 in nine overs) and Wayne Parnell (three for 43 in eight) running through the top order.

Jonny Bairstow’s battling 51 helped England recover to 153 all out, a target that provided few problems for South Africa, who made 156 for three.

England still won the three-match series 2-1.

South Africa’s Wayne Parnell took three for 43 in a rampaging Proteas display. Photo: AP

Morgan, asked if this result on his Middlesex home ground had dented Champions Trophy hosts England’s confidence ahead of their latest bid to win a maiden major global 50-over title, said: “I’d like to think it doesn’t.