There has been plenty of talk surrounding Jason Roy potentially opening for England at the Ashes later this year, but the 28-year-old’s first priority, he said, is the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, reported ICC.
England’s worries at the top of the order in Tests is a long-standing problem, and following the retirement of Alastair Cook last year, the issue is even more pressing. Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings, the incumbents in the role, haven’t always convinced, and that has generated plenty of talk that Roy, who is impeccable in limited-overs cricket, might prove up to the task against the red ball.
Roy insisted his main focus is on the World Cup, but believes impressive performances at the premier event might have the bonus effect of getting him an Ashes spot. “My main focus is on the World Cup, looking to play the best cricket possible and hopefully win it,” Roy told The Independent.
“That is the best way to push my case, if I score the volume of runs that I want to score then I’ll get myself noticed [on the Ashes radar].”
Roy has left no stone unturned in preparation for the World Cup. He’s learnt his lessons from the past, when after excursions at the Indian Premier League, he was burnt out for the Champions Trophy 2017.
This time, he has opted not to participate in the IPL 2019. Instead, he is spending time getting used to fatherhood. “This is my first kid so it is more important than any cricket. That was my choice,” he said. “I also didn’t want a repeat of 2017 when I burnt myself out before the Champions Trophy.
“I went to the IPL [in 2017] which was an awesome opportunity for me but I spent a lot of time on the bench and training, maybe overtraining, and I was definitely burnt out.
“That affected my form heading into the Champions Trophy, and with a child on the way and the World Cup coming I couldn’t risk that this year.”
England’s World Cup campaign begins on 30 May against South Africa at The Oval.