New Zealand v England: Morgan set for fitness test ahead of second T20

Eoin Morgan is a doubt for England’s second Twenty20 international against New Zealand with a back injury after the batsman starred in their opening win in the three-match series on Saturday.

The Irish-born left-hander posted 46 in a 40-run victory over the Kiwis in Auckland, but Morgan was forced to sit out Monday’s training session due to a jarred back.

The 26-year-old is expected to undergo a late fitness test ahead of the T20 in Hamilton, with Joe Root likely to be Morgan’s replacement.

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow, who put on a partnership of 81 runs with the Irishman, was pleased to get some valuable time in the middle in England’s opening win.

“To spend some time in the middle was really pleasing and I was pleased with the way I struck the ball,” said Bairstow.

“We were really pleased with the performance we put in. Everyone contributed, in all three disciplines.”

New Zealand batsman Colin Munro accepted that the hosts got their tactics wrong against Stuart Broad’s side on Saturday.

“Obviously Saturday was disappointing – we weren’t up to scratch,” Munro said.

“We had plans to drop the ball a little bit shorter and let them hit to the bigger boundary, but we were quite full and floaty – so we played into England’s hands to hit the short, straight boundaries.

“Our lengths weren’t right and dropping five catches didn’t help. That’s not going to happen again.”