Eoin Morgan: 'Blackmail plot was not a distraction'

Morgan replaced Alastair Cook as one-day captain in December

Eoin Morgan says revelations of a blackmail plot did not distract him from his job of captaining England.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the 28-year-old was the victim of a five-figure blackmail attempt after an alleged relationship with an Australian woman in 2010.

Morgan, out for a duck in England's loss to Australia on Friday, said: "It hasn't been distracting at all.

"I spoke with the ECB and I was very happy for them to deal with it."

He added: "They told me just to focus on the cricket 100% and I've done that.

"I was very comfortable with them looking after the situation.

"I'm happy it's all been cleared and everything is over and I can get on with my cricket, which I managed to do today."

England lost to Australia by three wickets - their second defeat in three matches in the triangular series - but the one-day skipper said his team were moving in the right direction.

They set the Baggy Greens 304 to win, and the visitors achieved their target with a ball to spare.

"I think the template is right but executing it is going to be a challenge throughout the 100 overs," said Morgan, who made a ton in the opening match against Australia.

"I see us making huge steps, if you see where we were against Sri Lanka before Christmas and where we are now, I think the skill level we're showing is much better.

"We were very dominant in the first 40 overs and set ourselves up for a commanding total. Somewhere around 340-plus would have been the score we were looking for but we didn't manage to get there. It is frustrating but it's still very early in the trip and we are making strides."