The SOS calls to Jason Roy are escalating after England’s back-to-back defeats at the Cricket World Cup, with public pressure mounting on the injured opening bat to return asap from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him for three games.
Former skipper Michael Vaughan told the BBC after England’s loss to Australia at Lord’s that the medical team may have to “wheel him out … to win them a game potentially” against India.
The top-ranked, pre-tournament favorite needs at least one win from its last two group games against No. 2-ranked India and 2015 semifinalist New Zealand to maintain its chances of qualifying for the semifinals. Roy’s replacement, James Vince, has struggled to get the team away to good starts and been dismissed for 26, 14 and, against Australia, for a duck of two deliveries. It was the worst possible start for England’s run chase.
England captain Eoin Morgan has consistently said Roy, an explosive opening batsman, won’t be rushed back after scans showed he tore a muscle in his upper leg while fielding in the win over West Indies on June 14. India and New Zealand are so far unbeaten at the World Cup. England hasn’t beaten either of those teams at a World Cup since 1992.
Morgan maintained his line on Roy after the loss to Australia.
“With four days of rehabilitation — he’s hopeful of being fit,” Morgan said of Roy’s chances of playing India at Edgbaston on Sunday. “But if it’s a big risk, we’ll play it as it is.”