Eoin Morgan credits debutant bowlers Sam Curran and Pat Brown for England's opening T20 success

The 21-year-old seamers each claimed figures of 1 for 33 on the way to England's seven-wicket win at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch

Captain Eoin Morgan has praised the efforts of Pat Brown and Sam Curran for winning England the opening T20 of their five-match tour of New Zealand.

Speaking at the post-match presentations in Christchurch, Morgan said the 21-year-old seamers both performed admirably on international T20 debut, restricting the hosts to a total of 153 for 5 and setting up a straightforward chase.

"The game was won and lost in the first innings. I thought our bowlers did an outstanding job," said Morgan.

"Pat Brown and Sam Curran really did step up to the mark today and take advantage of what was probably a two-paced wicket, and in turn we probably chased 20 below par.

"When you do that with a really strong batting lineup I think it makes it a lot easier. Our batters had a reasonable day out – I thought James Vince played outstandingly well – but all credit goes to our bowling unit today."

^{Worcestershire's Pat Brown claimed Ross Taylor as his maiden international wicket}

With England resting a number of senior players for the tour after a strenuous home summer that featured an Ashes series starting barely within three weeks of the World Cup final, the young bowlers and Hampshire batsman Vince are amongst the players seeking to build their cases for short-form selection ahead of next year's T20 World Cup.

Vince was named player of the match after collecting his first half-century in international T20 from 33 balls as England chased the target with nine balls to spare.

England open their tournament in Perth on October 26, and Morgan hopes the rest of the series will provide valuable chances for fringe members of his squad to make their cases for selection.

"We feel that in order to be competitive at World Cups we actually need 15 or 17 guys who can start in the playing XI, and we need times and opportunities to take advantage, like this series here at the moment.

"I think the way the new guys can come in and stick to their strengths and do what they do as soon as they come into international cricket is a credit to the culture that's created.

"The honest truth is probably we have a couple of places up for grabs at the moment as it stands in our 15 man squad [for the T20 World Cup], and opportunities throughout this series will allow guys to come in and stake their claim for that."

^{James Vince led England's chase with a career-best 59 from 38 balls}

Morgan himself struck an unbeaten 34 from 21 in a late cameo that sealed the game, despite spinner Mitchell Santner claiming England's top three batsmen in standout figures of 3 for 23.

"That's actually the worst I've hit them! I felt terrible. I don't feel that happy. I'm glad I was there at the end, but it’s nice to start a series with a win.

"We've had a great time so far and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. There's a lot of hard work between now and the end of the series, so hopefully we can cash in and win the series."

The five-match series continues at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 3.