ROY’S SURPRISE ODI CALL-UP

JASON ROY has been handed an unexpected return to England colours on his home ground in place of Alex Hales.

Hales is helping police with their inquiries into Ben Stokes’ alleged brawl and is also the subject of an internal disciplinary probe by the ECB.

It means that Roy – dropped for the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan – gets a return to action at the Kia Oval where he scored 162 against Sri Lanka last year, while Sam Billings is set to be drafted into the team, after a late call-up, for Stokes.

The confusion over Stokes’ and Hales’ night out has caused huge disruption to ODI captain Eoin Morgan’s side, who still need to win one of the final two games to secure the series.

Morgan said: “It is a big blow not to have Ben available. It has become a bit of a distraction over the last day or so.”

For the Ashes squad, Gary Ballance and James Vince are expected to get the nod, with Ben Foakes as spare wicket-keeper.

His score in Sunday’s third ODI against the West Indies in Bristol, hours before his arrest.