Sydney, Jan 17 (IANS): England captain Eoin Morgan is confident his side can take the positives from opening match defeat to Australia into the rest of the tri-Series.

Morgan was happy to see his bowlers put on a good show in defence of England’s 234 runs even though Australia won the first One-Day International (ODI) by three wickets Friday, reports ecb.co.uk.

"We have a lot of positives to take from our bowlers because defending 234 is not easy, particularly with Australia's batting line-up," Morgan said.

Chris Woakes (four for 40) received special praise.

"Woakesy today was very good. Broady obviously coming back to full fitness showed really good signs and Moeen Ali was very good as well," he said.

"Credit to Woakesy, he’s come a long way over the last 12 months. To get a guy (David Warner) who was on 120, to deceive him on the slower ball, was a great achievement."

The 28-year-old Morgan himself had to pull together a superb century, compiling 121 off 136 balls, to help take England to 234 after they had slipped to 33 for four early in their innings.

"Being in the position that we were, the first game of the season, to come out and play in that manner, I’m very proud of it," he said.

"I’m proud of the way we came back from being four down early. To get to 234 was quite an achievement."