Defending champions England have omitted Jason Roy from their World Cup plans, replacing the stylish firebrand opener with Harry Brook from their provisional squad. Roy, 33, was an integral member of the the team’s overhaul in the format post the disastrous 2015 campaign, and played a pivotal role in the triumphant run four years ago but has blown hot and cold after that win.
He missed each of the recently-concluded four-ODI series against New Zealand with back spasms. While captain Jos Buttler hinted that he might be added to the squad to face Ireland later this week, the selectors decided to snub him altogether. This setback could spell the end of his international career with Roy having previously said that the marquee event would be his last hurrah after declining ECB’s central contract.
Roy was sporadically amongst the runs this year, scoring centuries in Bloemfontein and Mirpur, but his overall average of 31.78 since the 2019 World Cup and his fitness issues sealed his fate. Dawid Malan rubber-stamping his position in the squad with 277 runs from three games at 92.33 against New Zealand and the young Brook taking to international cricket like a duck to water also had a bearing on his exclusion from the team England will take to India.
Our @CricketWorldCup 1⃣5⃣ 😍
Are we excited yet?! 😆#CWC23 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/u5FOly7rAk
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2023
