Roy wonder as big hitter eyes England return
Captain Eoin Morgan says Jason Roy is on the mend for England’s crunch World Cup clash with India.
England’s campaign has gone off track since opener Roy injured his hamstring.
The host nation have lost two of the three games Roy has missed to put their semi-final hopes on a knife edge.
But Morgan said: “Jason is preparing to play. Provided he is able to get through the morning unscathed, he might be fit to play.
“It depends on the significance of the risk.
“If it’s going to rule him out long- term, absolutely not. If it’s a couple of weeks, yes.”
Strike bowler Jofra Archer is managing a side strain and Morgan added: “He didn’t bowl yesterday.
“It’s the same thing he has been playing with for the last three games.
“Again, the same thing applies. If it’s a long-term risk, no. If it’s a short term-risk, yes.”
Meanwhi le India captain Virat Kohli has expressed surprise at England’s patchy World Cup so far.
Kohli had named England as the firm favourites to lift the trophy this summer.
But their three defeats to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia have left them struggling.
Kohli said: “Everyone is a bit surprised. The ot her teams have outplayed England on occasions and that can happen to any side.
“It is surprising but I expected something like that in the World Cup, where teams are put under pressure.”
Pakistan narrowly squeezed past alreadyeliminated Afghanistan at Headingley to add to England’s troubles.
But the pluck y Afghans, who also came close against India, made Pakistan work hard for their win.
Imad Wasim scored a game-winning 49 not out from 54 balls but should have been given out for LBW.
The result s aw Pak istan leapf rog England into the last semi-final slot.
Scotland’s women missed out on a shot to qual ify for the 2021 World Cup after losing out to the Dutch.
The Wildcats trounced Germany by 107 runs yesterday but their rivals clinched top spot with a nine-wicket rout of the Germans later in the day.