Root warns no one safe as Roy is axed
JASON Roy has been dropped for the final Ashes Test, with England captain Joe Root suggesting others might be playing for their places at The Oval.
Ben Stokes’ shoulder injury has forced a reshuffle, with fellow allrounder Sam Curran recalled at Roy’s expense and Chris Woakes returning in place of Craig Overton.
England can still salvage a drawn series over the next five days and will be eager to deny Australia turning their unassailable 2-1 lead into a first series win on these shores since 2001.
Standing Roy down at his home ground was not how England envisaged their experiment with the World Cup-winning batsman ending but an average of 18.70 in his five Tests, with a top score of 31 against Australia, left him vulnerable.
Roy faces an uncertain future in the red ball game as a result but whether he earns a second chance – either at opener or in the No.4 position he filled at Old Trafford – could depend on who succeeds head coach Trevor Bayliss, whose four-year reign ends after the series.
“Jason is the unfortunate one to miss out,” said Root, after explaining Stokes would effectively play as a specialist No.4 batsman.
“He is very aware of where he is at and what he needs to do to get himself in the best place to perform in Test cricket. He’s had an opportunity to come in and play Test cricket, get a feel for it, and it has not gone quite how he would have liked.
“But I’m sure he will go away and work extremely hard and come again. That is what you expect of guys when they get left out and I’m sure he will have that attitude and want to try and prove a point and get himself back in.”
Roy is far from alone in underperforming with the bat and serious questions have been asked of Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler over the past few weeks.
All three average fewer than 26 in the past four Tests. Root’s own captaincy has been queried, though there does not appear to be any appetite for change from within the England camp.
“I think in terms of personnel things might change, as they have done for a while. We have to focus on the core group of players that can lead this team forward,” he said.
“In terms of my own captaincy I know the direction I want to take this team moving forward and it is about starting that now and not after this series. It is important we win this game and have a really strong winter and move forward as a group.
“You are playing for your country: that’s the fundamentals of it. We have got some very passionate guys who are very proud to represent England and however you motivate yourself, I think it’s really important to harness that this week and take it forward.”
I’m sure he will go away and work extremely hard and come again