Not bowling Stokes a precaution, says Morgan

Not bowling Stokes a precaution, says Morgan

Eoin Morgan has played down an injury scare to Ben Stokes after the all-rounder was forced to leave the field after feeling his left knee in Wednesday's (May 24) first One-Day International against South Africa at Headingley.

Stokes bowled only two overs in the South African innings and Morgan confirmed that the decision to not bowl the Durham all-rounder more had been a precautionary measure. "When he came back onto the field he had the green light to bowl," Morgan said. "I felt bowling him again wasn't worth the risk. He doesn't even have swelling. There are no significant signs of an injury but we can assess that over the next couple of days. He did the right thing to go out and get it checked. A knee can be quite a significant injury if it does happen."

Stokes entered the attack in the 18th over but looked in discomfort after the fifth delivery. He bowled a second over afterwards - he conceded 14 runs in the spell - before leaving the field to presumably get checked over by England's medical staff. He returned six overs later and fielded the rest of South Africa's innings mainly in the key position of long-off although he shelled a straightforward catch offered by Wayne Parnell, Stokes' foot seemingly slipping as the ball arrived. If there is any evidence of a problem, England are unlikely to take any chances with one of their most important players ahead of the Champions Trophy and Stokes may be rested for the next match of the series.

Other than the concern for Stokes, England had an excellent day below brilliant blue skies and sunshine in Leeds. They went 1-0 up in the series and the margin of victory of 72 runs was emphatic enough to give them confidence that they can sew the series up down in Southampton. Morgan himself looked in prime form with his third ODI hundred in his last eight innings and his eleventh in all which has him heading into the Champions Trophy in high spirits. "I feel in good form," he said. "I felt like this against Ireland, I felt like this in India, I felt like this in the Big Bash. I have never gone through a stage this long where I have been able to keep it up. I'm not sure what it is down to. Maybe a bit of experience."

Morgan's 117 run partnership with Moeen Ali off just 13.3 overs was the turning point of the game. When Jos Buttler was dismissed, England were struggling at 198 for 5 but they scored 102 runs in the last ten overs, an onslaught that consisted of seven sixes and four boundaries. After a slow start - his first 12 runs took 20 balls - Ali finished with 77 not out from just 53 deliveries. After speculation that Jonny Bairstow would be considered for the number seven spot after his strong showing against Ireland at Lord's, Ali's riposte was well timed.

Not that his position was in any doubt in the captain's mind. Morgan had been clear after the Ireland series that Ali, who also took the wickets of AB de Villiers and Chris Morris, would be in his first choice team for the Champions Trophy. "Batting at No. 7 is one of the hardest jobs going because you don't know whether to shoot or not," Morgan said of Ali's performance at Headingley. "He was very calm and composed in what he did, gave himself some time at the crease and was able to take the game to South Africa at the end."