Roy faces open competition theY said it
JASON ROY believes runs are the only way to hold off the ‘mad’ competition to feature at the top of England’s batting order.
Head coach Chris Silverwood has indicated Roy and Jos Buttler will resume their opening partnership when England start their Twenty20 series against South Africa at Newlands tomorrow.
Roy also tops the order in oneday internationals along with Jonny Bairstow but the 30-yearold is taking nothing for granted. ‘It’s mad, the amount of batters is quite frightening,’ said Roy. ‘It’s a beautiful position for England to be in, to be spoilt for choice.
‘You would 100 per cent be lying if you said you were not under pressure for your place with the amount of talent that is around us.
‘Everyone is getting pushed to their limits. I don’t think there’s ever an element of relaxing.
‘No matter how much you play, who is coming through the ranks or what pressure you’re under, you’re always trying to learn and do your best.’
The competition is fierce as Dawid Malan, the world’s No.1 T20 batsman, would prefer to open and the impressive Tom Banton is a reserve for both formats on the white-ball tour of
South Africa. All-rounders Ben Stokes and Sam Curran have also thrown their names into the mix with success lining up first in the Indian Premier League.
But Roy said: ‘Whether there’s one or two pushing my place or ten players pushing my place won’t affect the way I approach my game. I have got to get myself physically fit, mentally fit and then I’ve got to score some runs. It’s as simple as that.’
JOE ROOT is on the shortlist to be named ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade, with Sarah Taylor nominated for the female award. Root is in contention for the Sir Garfield Sobers Award with Ravi Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, AB De Villiers and Kumar Sangakkara. Taylor is among six contenders for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award. ‘You just know you need to switch on or you’ll leave with a few broken bones.’
Jason Roy is relishing the pace battle this week, with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood going up against Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje