England's limited-overs learning curve must continue after their 59-run defeat against world champions Australia at the Ageas Bowl.
Captain Eoin Morgan admitted, after his team faltered to 246 all out in 45.3 overs under lights in pursuit of 305 for six, that more progress is needed.
England will head to Lord's on Saturday 1-0 down with four to play in the Royal London Series, after Matthew Wade's unbeaten 71 revived Australia from 193 for six in an unbroken century stand with Mitch Marsh.
Adil Rashid's four for 59 was therefore in vain, but an encouraging sign nonetheless - along with Jason Roy's maiden international 50.
The hosts went on to lose three wickets in four balls on 194, and their last eight for 94 as they were bowled out almost five overs short of the allotted 50 for the second time in succession at this venue.
Morgan said: "We can certainly improve. We are a long way off the world's best at the moment.
"We can learn a hell of a lot, and ultimately it comes down to individual skill."
He reiterated the observation he made before the start of this five-match series, that Australia are among the toughest opponents.
"We'll have to play really well to beat them, and we didn't do enough here today," he said.
"I think down the line this is going to be a big part of our learning curve.
"Probably in a year's time, we'll be expected to chase that down more often than not - especially with that sort of a start."
Morgan was frustrated that England could not haul in a near par total, especially after openers Roy (67) and Alex Hales put on 70 in under 12 overs.
"Certainly 305, given the start we had as well, was within our grasp," he said.
"I thought Adil Rashid bowled really well . a lot earlier than he has been used to and with a newer ball, which was another big test for him.
"For him to come out and hold his nerve against a good batting line-up, I was very impressed.
"In the chase, there was probably about 15 overs (in the middle) where Australia bowled really well.
"(But) I felt that if we came out of the back-end of that, maybe them only earning one wicket, we would have been in a commanding position."
Man-of-the-match Wade finished with a big smile on his face, but was looking significantly more glum after - without a run to his name at the time - calling the faulty single which resulted in the luckless Shane Watson being run out.
Asked how he put that moment behind him, Wade said: "You don't, really.
"For the first 15 minutes you're thinking about it.
"I thought there was a run there obviously, and there wasn't.
"The only thing I really could do then was hang around.
"It would've been worse if I did get a globe [duck] and I'd run 'Watto' out as well. It would've been horrible."
Source: PA
