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England captain Eoin Morgan reacts to shock Scotland defeat

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England captain Eoin Morgan reacts to shock Scotland defeat — England fell just short of a record ODI chase at The Grange (Picture: Getty)

England captain Eoin Morgan tried to take the positives from his sides shock defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh.

In preparation for the five-match series against Australia, England played Scotland at The Grange on Sunday in a one-off ODI.

The home side scored a whopping 371-5 from their 50 overs as Calum MacLeod scored an unbeaten century and Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey hit fifties.

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England, the top-ranked team in the world in one-day cricket, moved to 220-2 as Jonny Bairstow scored his third straight ODI century off just 54 balls.

But the Scots hit back with five quick wickets and eventually bowled England out in the penultimate over as Morgans side fell six runs short.

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We knew they were a very dangerous side, Morgan told Sky Sports after the humbling defeat. They played close to their best cricket today and we didnt.

We werent good enough to win. Fair play to them, they played well and deserved the result.

Its not the end of the world for us, it was a good run-out rather than having a couple of days of practice its better to play a highly competitive game under pressure.

Morgan added: We were a bit rusty [bowling] and missed our lines a little – we only got together yesterday, but hopefully well be better on Wednesday.

The level of expectation has been high around the team for a while, it doesnt get higher than being number one in the world.

I dont think we were far away, we go to a ground now that we know really well in The Oval, and well be up for the challenge.

Scotlands Safyaan Sharif, who took the final wicket of the match as the associate nation secured a stunning victory, said: Weve been waiting for this for so long.

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The wicket was good. England are a brilliant side but scoring 371 against them means the world.

Asked whether this win sent a message to the ICC over the decision to reduce the number of teams in the World Cup, Sharif added: Im not going to say anything – theyve seen it all today.

MORE: Superb Scotland make history with stunning victory over England in Edinburgh run-fest

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