Cricket World Cup 2019: England must go back to basics to get campaign back on track says Eoin Morgan

Unfancied Sri Lanka had won just one game before this but produced the surprise result of the tournament as England’s quest for an elusive maiden title stuttered once more in Leeds

After a second defeat of their World Cup campaign, Sri Lanka’s thrilling 20-run shock victory at Headingley, England captain Eoin Morgan believes his side need to go back to the basics that helped propel them to number one in the rankings and the position of pre-tournament favourites.

Unfancied Sri Lanka had won just one game before this, against bottom of the table Afghanistan, but produced the surprise result of the tournament as England’s quest for an elusive maiden title stuttered once more in Leeds.

Morgan pinned the loss on an inability to successfully carry out the basics of ODI cricket, with England’s failure to string successful partnerships together the key failing.

“Partnerships are very important, we struggled to get enough partnerships going,” said Morgan. ”We had one substantial one and a couple of individual innings but that's not good enough to win a game.”

England slumped to 212 all out chasing just 233 for victory, failing to record a stand of more than 26 for their last six wickets as Lasith Malinga rolled back the years to stun the tournament hosts.

However in a fairly terse press conference after the conclusion of the match, Morgan insisted that belief was still strong in the squad.

“We're going to play competitive games. Again we're not going to win every game at this World Cup, we still need to go back to the process that's taken us to being a strong side in the world.

“We are going to lose games in the group stages. We didn't deserve to win today's game. The message [to the players] is quite simple: we need to do the basics along with the way that we play as well.”

Occurring with just 63 runs required to win and five wickets in hand, the dismissal of Moeen Ali, caught at long on recklessly attempting a second consecutive six, was seen by some as a key turning point in a run chase that badly spiralled out of England’s control – a notion Morgan was reluctant to entertain, instead apportioning blame to the whole of his side’s much-vaunted batting line up.

“I would say there were quite a few wickets that were turning points,” he added. “Simply on the fact that you've got guys that are coming in at six who average 40. We bat all the way down.

“Every single one is quite significant because every single one could establish a partnership that could win you the game.”

Malinga ripped through England's top order (AFP/Getty Images)

England must now play Australia at Lord’s on Tuesday, a game that carries even more importance given their shock loss, with Morgan convinced that England will bounce straight back.

“When we get beaten we tend to come back quite strong, we tend to resort to aggressive, smart, positive cricket. Let's hope that's the case on Tuesday.”

Much of the credit for Sri Lanka’s win must go to Malinga whose 4/43 holed England’s chase below the water line, as he moved past 50 career World Cup wickets. His 51st, England vice-captain Jos Buttler said afterwards: “He is just different – as much as you do face him, he is different – the stumps are always in play with him with his release point. If it hits you in line it’s generally close.

“We didn’t counter him as well as we could have today but credit to a fantastic bowler."