Roy: Family key to beating ‘dark time’
JASON Roy revealed he went through a “dark time” over the winter and believes a few months of family life played a key role in his latest star turn for England.
Roy marked his 100th ODI with a typically assertive 73 from 60 balls as England moved into an unassailable 2-0 series lead against the Netherlands after a six-wicket victory in Amstelveen yesterday.
It came just three months after Roy was given a suspended two-match ban and fined by the Cricket Discipline Commission, the reasons for which were not disclosed by the ECB.
He did not shed any light on what led to his punishment but admitted he endured a turbulent start to the year, despondent at having to be apart from his son, born in January, for the Pakistan Super League.
Worn out by Covid bubbles, Roy withdrew from the Indian Premier League and took a “short indefinite break” from cricket but believes family time has reinvigorated him.
“Things mentally weren’t right with me at the PSL,” he said. “I was in a weird place because I was playing good cricket but I wasn’t enjoying myself, I wasn’t happy and it was just a dark time.
“It was just a good two months to come home and live normal life for a bit after a tough couple of years.
“(There were) a lot of months away. Over 50 days of hotel quarantine the year before and then having a child in January and having to spend time away from him was just a bit too much.”
Roy’s first 50-over innings for England ended in a first-ball duck in 2015 but he was memorably crowned a world champion four years later. And yesterday it was he who set the tempo and hastened
their pursuit of hauling down the Netherlands’ 235 for seven.
Five of his first nine balls were dispatched for four while he shared a 139-ball opening stand with Phil Salt, who followed up a century in the opening ODI with 77 here that broke the back of the chase.
It was the downfall of the latter that started a mini collapse that saw England lose three wickets in 19 balls, with Eoin Morgan making a second straight duck.
Dawid Malan’s 36 not out and Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 42 ultimately got them over the line with 29 balls to spare but Morgan’s lean trot once again raised eyebrows.
But Roy is certain his 35-year-old captain will rediscover the Midas touch with the bat soon.
“That’s just the fickle nature of the sport,” the 31-year-old added. “If you’re behind the eight ball it’s quite tough but he’s an incredible worker, an incredible guy so I’m backing him for sure.”