Roy misses out as team is shuffled
JASON ROY has been dropped for the final Ashes Test, with England captain Joe Root stating that others might be playing for their places at The Oval.
Ben Stokes’ shoulder injury has forced a reshuffle in the side for the fifth Test, which starts today, with fellow all-rounder Sam Curran recalled at Roy’s expense and Chris Woakes returning in place of Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton.
England can still salvage a drawn Test 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 down Roy on 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 number four 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,” Root said yesterday, after explaining that Stokes would effectively play as a specialist number four batsman.
“Jason 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,” the England skipper added. “He has 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.
“I’m sure he will go away and work extremely hard and come again. That’s 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 into the side.”
The Surrey stalwart is far from alone in under-performing 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 – the kind of return that does not win Ashes series and one that puts them firmly under the microscope.
“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,” Root said. “It’s important we win this game and have a really strong winter, and move forward as a group.
Woakes’ return, conversely, appears more of a reflection on Overton’s abilities than an admission that last week’s selection of the Devonian was a mistake.
Overton batted with admirable defiance in the day-five rearguard in Manchester, frustrating the touring attack for 105 balls before being last man out, but looked a step down on Woakes with ball in hand.
“We brought Craig in for those Old Trafford conditions and he also had a back spasm within the game, which is a slight concern going into another Test,” Root said.
“He did a fantastic job and he should be really proud of the way he went about his business. I’m sure it’s not the last we’ll see of him.”