England crash out of New Zealand Tri Series despite winning final game thanks to Eoin Morgan’s brilliant knock

ENGLAND crashed out of the Tri Series despite Eoin Morgan inspiring victory in their final game.

The skipper smashed 80 not out in his side's 194-7, which left New Zealand needing 175 to set up a clash with Australia in the showpiece.

And opener Colin Munro began the chase in emphatic fashion as he dismantled the tourists' attack to set his side into the finale in spite of a narrow defeat.

England will take solace from their one-day form as Ben Stokes returns for the series against New Zealand.

But captain Morgan, 31, was gutted despite their victory.

The man-of-the-match said: "We didn't go through, 174 was what we were required to defend, we created chances but it was difficult for our attack.

"We fought really well. We were good enough to win the game but not go through, we've not been good enough in the series. We have been slow to start, get up and running and the two finalists are deserving."

Both of England's openers fell early as Alex Hales and Jason Roy fell to slower balls from Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

GUESS WHO'S BACK? Ben Stokes returns to England training for first time in months as he awaits trial over Bristol ‘street assault’ in September

Dawid Malan and Morgan counter-attacked in style - passing half centuries as England posted a strong total.

But Munro's bat quickly put the tourists on the back foot as he raced to 50 from just just 18 balls.

The game appeared over until England's spinners - Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson - pulled things back from the brink.

Munro's assault ended when he miscued Rashid's googly to Willey in the deep but the Kiwis passed their mark with plenty of time to spare as Tom Curran ensured his side at least took a win in the final over.