Eoin Morgan sees England’s Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka today as a chance to atone for the winter’s failings and set the tone for a new season.

England’s Ashes whitewash in Australia was followed by a succession of limited-overs defeats Down Under and elimination from the World Twenty20 at the Super 10 stage.

And Morgan, stand-in T20 captain in Stuart Broad’s absence, said: “To repay a little bit of what happened in the winter, I think a win would go a long way tomorrow and start off our season properly.

“There’s a huge opportunity for individuals right down, batting and bowling, as well as collectively as a unit.

“If somebody puts in a match-winning performance against a side we’re going to be playing the first half of our season against, it’s going to go a long way.”

The match is the start of Sri Lanka’s tour which also features five one-day internationals and two Tests before India arrive for five Tests, five ODIs and a T20 clash.

Morgan defended England’s performances during their World T20 campaign in Bangladesh, which concluded with defeat to associate nation Holland.

Controversy surrounded the end of their opening defeat to New Zealand, with lightning in the air and the Kiwis ahead of par when an eventual stoppage handed them a nine-wicket win under the Duckworth/Lewis system.

A six-wicket win over Sri Lanka followed before a narrow defeat to South Africa and the 45-run humbling to Holland.

Morgan said: “You can look back at our T20 World Cup performance, we put in some outstanding performances but never got the results.

“That’s incredibly disappointing as a side, when you do play some very good cricket but don’t get the rewards.

“But then again, that’s the nature of professional sport, just because you work hard it doesn’t mean to say that you’re going to do well or be rewarded for it.

“But again, we’ll continue to work hard and to fight as a squad and hopefully those rewards will come along the way.”