FEARS GROW OVER ROY
England opener to miss next two games
Jason Roy looks certain to be ruled out of at least England’s next two World Cup games today with the hamstring injury that continues to plague him.
England’s medical staff were last night still assessing the results of scans on Roy’s hamstring and Eoin Morgan’s back after both were forced off the field during the emphatic win over West Indies on Friday that has put them within sight of the semi-finals.
no risks will be taken with two batsmen integral to England’s chances of finally winning their first 50-over global tournament, especially as their next two games are against the tournament’s two weakest teams in afghanistan and sri Lanka.
Roy remains the bigger concern and it seems inconceivable the opener, who has been in such destructive World Cup form, will play before next week’s group match against australia that could confirm a top-four place.
ONE DAY TO GO...
The surrey man took seven weeks to recover from the initial hamstring and back problems he sustained towards the e end of England’s Caribbean n tour and management would d rather he wait and be fully fit t for the business end of the e tournament next month.
It is highly unlikely England d will rule Roy out of the tournament now because once he has been replaced there will be no way back for him and they are e struggling for quality alternatives aof now alex Hales is out of the picture.
For now, James Vince will get et his chance to open with Jonny ny Bairstow against afghanistan n at old Trafford tomorrow and nd sri Lanka at Headingley on n Friday while the medical staff aff work overtime on getting Roy oy fit and back in action.
Captain Morgan is less of a worry but England are concerned nt enough about his latest t back spasm to want to see how it settles down before they decide whether he can play tomorrow.
The likelihood is he will today hand over the captaincy to Jos Buttler for tomorrow’s game while targeting a return against either sri Lanka or the aussies. Moeen ali, ali who hh has b been i in poor batting form, would then come in for Morgan and give England an additional spin option.
When England lost Roy and Morgan on Friday, Joe Root stepped up as opener to make a century and the unlikely figure of Chris Woakes made 40 batting b at no 3, and the Warwickshire man believes England can cope with this m mini injury crisis.
‘In a World Cup things won’t always go to plan and it’s a squad effort,’ said Woakes. ‘If Morgan and Roy are not quite ready we will just have to be flex flexible. other players were always going to have to play at some point.’
Woakes is adamant he is fit to face afghanistan even though England vowed before the cup to protect his long- standing knee problem and not risk him in two matches in quick succession.
‘The body is fine,’ said Woakes. ‘This is not that quick a turnaround and I’ll be reminding Eoin I did alright at three and could play as a batsman anyway!’
Woakes made his Test debut at six against australia six years ago and England could afford to play orthodox cricket against West Indies chasing a target they reached with 101 balls to spare.
‘The plan was to keep the middle order settled and I was more than happy to do that job for the team,’ said Woakes. ‘ Thankfully we were chasing just over 200. If it had been 300 I might have been more nervous.’