After getting knocked out in the first round in 2015 World Cup, the English ODI side is now favourites to win the Champions trophy. One of the major reasons behind the team’s success in ODI’s in the last 2 years has been the opening pair of Alex Hales and Jason Roy. The duo takes full advantage of the powerplay and often sets the platform for big scores.
The English side has scored 21 300+ scores since the 2015 World Cup and the opening pair has done the damage during field restrictions more often than not. For England to have a good ICC Champions Trophy, the opening pair needs to step up and get them off to flying starts.
However, Jason Roy has been slightly off-colour for a while now. He has registered 4 single digits in his last 5 innings and has scored only one 50 in his last 8 innings. On the other hand, Jonny Bairstow has performed brilliantly whenever he has been given an opportunity. His last 4 ODI knocks read 51, 72*,10* & 56 and he will be itching to play.
But Jason Roy has got his captain’s backing before the tournament commenced. On the eve of the tournament’s opening game against Bangladesh, Morgan told media,
“The decision remains the same throughout the tournament. Jason Roy is part of our strong opening partnership with Alex Hales. He’ll definitely play.”
“If we want our players to play cagily or without freedom, yes, we would change things and probably half of us wouldn’t be here. So backing it up with the selection and the way that we want to play, you know, Jason really epitomises the way that we play; the aggression in which he plays, he always plays for the team, and he plays in a manner that is dictated by that. He’s a very important part of our side,” Morgan added.
Adding that Bairstow would, unfortunately, miss out, Morgan said,
“Jonny will miss out, unfortunately. It’s been the case like that for the last couple of years. He’s been very good when he’s come in, but each and every one of us within the batting department has had ups and downs over the years. And one of the strongest parts of reinforcing the way that we play, and the freedom in which we play with, is backing that up with the selection.”