Skipper Root tells big-hitting Roy to trust his instincts

JOE ROOT wants Jason Roy to play with the sort of swagger that has defined his international career in white-ball cricket when he makes his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s today. Big-hitting Roy starred in England’s victorious World Cup campaign but had been overlooked for Test cricket due to concerns over his attacking style. ‘I just want him to go out and express himself and trust his instincts,’ insisted England captain Root. ‘He’ll bring something different to our Test batting line-up. He can put pressure on the opposition — he’s one of the best in the world at that.’ Root also urged his players to use today’s Test as a springboard for the Ashes series that kicks off next week, saying: ‘The intensity this week will set the tone for the rest of the summer so we’ve got to ride the wave of the World Cup and capitalise on it. ‘We’ve taken a huge amount of confidence from winning the World Cup and that counts for a lot. It’s something we must capitalise on going into a huge six Tests. ‘The message to the squad is to play with pride and passion. That’s definitely what we are looking to do and that’s been the message to the group. ‘It’s a great chance. We don’t want to sleepwalk into this. Any Lord’s Test match at the start is a good chance to set a precedent for the way we want to play for the rest of the summer. ‘I don’t want anyone walking into it and not being 100-per-cent on it. It’s a great chance to lay a marker down.’ England will field two spinners for the four-day Test in Moeen Ali and Jack Leach, but James Anderson has been ruled out by a calf injury sustained on Lancashire duty earlier this month. The nation’s leading wicket-taker is expected to be available when the Ashes begins at Edgbaston on August 1. ‘Jimmy would probably have been able to get through this Test, but we’ll make sure he’s absolutely right,’ said Root. ‘The last thing we want is him carrying a niggle into a series. We’re trying to be sensible about it, giving him as much time as possible to be 100-per-cent fit.’