It has been a rough couple of days for England Captain Eoin Morgan who, after being the target of a blackmail attempt, was dismissed without scoring against Australia.

But the 28-year-old insists the off-field drama played no part in his form slump with the bat in Hobart where the home side secured a narrow three-wicket win in the tri series ODI.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday it received an email from a Tasmanian man demanding a “five-figure sum” – reportedly $65,000 – to prevent him going to newspapers with explicit details about a relationship Morgan had with a woman five years ago.

“It hasn’t been distracting at all,” Morgan said of the blackmail attempt’s impact on his game on Friday night.

“I spoke with the ECB … I was very happy for them to deal with it and they said to me just to ‘focus on your cricket 100 per cent’ and I’ve done that.

“I was very comfortable with them looking after the situation.”

ECB officials in Australia approached the Tasmanian after discussions with the Metropolitan Police.

Reported to be a Hobart workplace safety consultant, the man is in a relationship with a woman who allegedly used to be involved with Morgan.

When confronted, the man admitted and apologised for his actions and said he was motivated by jealousy.

His threat allegedly involved revealing “sexually based” messages exchanged between Morgan and the woman.

“I’m happy it’s all been cleared and everything is over and I can get on with my cricket which I managed to do today,” the cricketer told reporters during a post-match press conference.

Morgan faced just one ball on Friday, bowled by Gurinder Sandhu, and was caught behind by keeper Brad Haddin after just two minutes at the crease.

“I don’t think it was easy coming in – the ball was reverse swinging.

“I nicked one, that happens,” Morgan said of his dismissal.

– AAP