At a glance

a tour game.

‘‘We’re here to play against England’s best team and our best cricket is going to be required to win this series. Who they have got playing against us, in a sense, is a bit irrelevant. We know their best team is going to be very, very good and we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.’’

Roy’s heroics in the limited-overs arena has undoubtedly played a huge part in his test promotion. He is set to make his debut after being named in England’s 13-man squad for a one-off test against Ireland at Lord’s starting Wednesday.

Roy, who averages 38 in firstclass cricket, has become a whiteball specialist who only occasionally plays the longer form of the game. Since the 2017 county season, he has played only three first-class matches.

England have tried six different openers since the last Ashes with only two centuries, by the retired Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, whose place Roy has taken – from 56 tries. In Roy, they at least have a player who has the firepower to take on Australia’s quicks against the new ball.

England say they have been waiting for the ‘‘ideal time’’ to try the 28-year-old at test level.

‘‘He was injured at the back end of the ODIs against India last summer and then also when he went back to play for Surrey. So he had two injuries then,’’ England selector Ed Smith said.

‘‘Joe Root and I spoke at length months ago about the scenario in which Jason Roy finished the World Cup confident, full of runs and went straight into the Ashes and that’s what we’ve done.

‘‘It feels like a really good time for Jason to join the test team as an opener. He’s in and has our full backing.’’