Australia defeat was just the kick England needed to get to final
Jason Roy credits “a kick up the arse” on England’s last visit to Lord’s for giving them the boost they needed to reach the World Cup final in peak form.
England will step out at the most-famous cricket ground in the world today as favourites to lift the trophy for the first time against a New Zealand side also looking to make history.
Things looked considerably different the last time they were in St John’s Wood, pushed to the brink of a group-stage elimination by a 64-run loss to Australia.
Jolted by that result England tapped into a do-or-die mentality – confidently beating both the Black Caps and India to seal their knockout place, then exacting revenge against their Ashes rivals with a resounding semi-final win at Edgbaston.
“We didn’t get too down or upset. But it was obviously a little kick up the arse,” said Roy, whose brilliant form with the bat has underpinned the upturn in form.
“It gave us a good kick and pushed us to actually bring out the best in ourselves I think, and that stands us in good stead for the final.
“We’re in a very good place with our cricket and, like we’ve shown in the last few games, we’re doing pretty well. Do the right things from the start, and hopefully we’ll get the benefits.”
Roy was blameless for England’s wobble, missing their backto-back defeats with a torn hamstring. He has passed 50 in six of his seven innings, including a punishing 153 against Bangladesh, and his semifinal knock of 85 was on course to be his best yet, until he was bafflingly given caught behind by Kumar Dharmasena.
Roy’s furious reaction saw him disciplined and fined for breaching the ICC’S disciplinary code and he faces an awkward reunion with the Sri Lankan official, who will stand alongside South Africa’s Marais Erasmus at Lord’s.
“It’s professional sport, emotions run high,” the 28-year-old explained.
“There was a lot of passion. The last few years have been a lot of hard work to get where I’ve got now. So to get out like that was slightly disappointing, and I probably showed it more than I should have. But you ride the wave and we’re in the final now.”
Roy’s fearless approach and muscular style – he hit three consecutive sixes off Steve Smith at Edgbaston, one of which was the biggest ever struck in international at the ground – make him a natural poster boy for the team.
An elevated profile surely awaits if he can contribute to one more winning cause, but that wider celebrity is little more than window dressing to the task at hand.
“It doesn’t matter what the outside noise is saying, the white noise as we call it. We’ve just got to go out and perform,” he said.
“It’s nothing to do with the status. We just want to win the World Cup for the nation and inspire the next generation.”