2015 NZ loss spurred Eoin

Eoin Morgan has revealed England’s humiliating defeat by New Zealand in their last World Cup clash left him “as close to rock-bottom as I’ve been”.

But the England captain said it had also been behind his side’s white-ball revival that now sees them on the verge of securing a place in the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup.

The winners of Wednesday’s match between England and New Zealand at Chester-le-Street are guaranteed a place in the last four and even the losers could still make it through to the knockout stages.

But a World Cup semi-final was the last thing on England’s horizon when they were skittled out for just 123 by New Zealand in a group match at Wellington four years ago.

The Black Caps then overhauled that woeful total in a mere 12.2 overs, winning with a colossal 226 balls to spare en route to an eventual defeat by fellow co-hosts Australia in the final.

But the way New Zealand played in that 2015 tournament made a lasting impression on Morgan, then as now England’s skipper in 50-over cricket.

“It was as close to rock-bottom as I’ve been,” Morgan told reporters at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

“Certainly as a captain and as a player, being beaten off the park like that was humiliating.

“New Zealand proved that you can actually be really good humans and grow the game and play cricket in your own way and win at the same time, which is incredibly eye-opening for a lot of countries around the world.

“I thought that rubbed off on everybody in the World Cup.”