I cannot wait for Champions Trophy, says Roy
months, but he expects to return for England’s second warm-up today against a President’s XI.
Although only 26, Roy is now England’s senior opening batsman while Alex Hales recuperates from his right hand injury. Sam Billings can be pretty devastating himself but Roy expects Hales to slot back in as his opening partner.
“Obviously competition for places is high in our ranks, we’ve some very good players,” Roy said. “Obviously Hales will probably come straight back in, I would have thought, he deserves that spot. But it’s a big opportunity for Billings to come in and show what he’s got. I like batting with all of them. They all bring different qualities when they bat together.
“I can’t wait for the Champions Trophy, it’s going to be incredible, especially being on home turf. It’s a first Champions Trophy and first major 50-over competition for me as well so I’m hugely excited.”
Such a new-ball blaster might have expected to fetch more at the Indian Premier League auction when he put his name in for the first time, but Roy has work still to do on his handling of spin, especially leftarm spin. In the white-ball series in India last month, he was embarrassed by Ravi Jadeja, which must have undermined his value – to the extent that Roy was not picked up in the first round of bidding.
“I woke myself up at 4am and had a look at the auction. It said ‘Jason Roy unsold’ and I was like… I threw my phone on to the floor and was like, ‘I’m just useless’. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get picked up in the second round.” Gujarat Lions came in with a bid for £120,000.
“It’s not just about the money, no. It’s the first time I’m involved in it, I wasn’t expecting too much. Obviously the two big fellas [Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills] won the lottery there and I’m very happy for them. Stokes was blown away that morning. It’s not about the money – obviously that is nice – but to go out there and play and experience different players and to be able to learn from different players will be amazing. You get used to playing in front of massive crowds and, being an overseas player, the pressure is on to do well. It’s all foundation blocks to a big tournament.” Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson has retired from competitive swimming aged 28. The Scot claimed one of Britain’s three swimming medals at the London 2012 Olympics, as runnerup in the 200 metres breaststroke, but his brutal training regime led to depression, he has revealed. Former New Zealand international Ali Williams has been suspended by French club Racing 92 after he was arrested in possession of cocaine. Toulon player James O’Connor, capped 44 times by Australia, was also arrested in Paris in the early hours of Saturday. World No 2 Jason Day has pulled out of this week’s WGC-Mexico Championship due to an ear infection and flu. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Darren Fichardt won a rain-affected Joburg Open, carding a closing 68 to finish a shot ahead of Paul Waring (England) and Stuart Manley (Wales).