World Cup hero Roy gets first Test call-up as Wood sidelined

London: Opening batsman Jason Roy -- not even a regular top-order batsman for Surrey in red-ball cricket -- has been named in England’s Test squad for the first time for the one-off match against Ireland starting at Lord’s next Wednesday.

While Roy, who accumulated 443 runs in England’s triumphant 50-overs World Cup campaign, has been rewarded for his key role in his country’s historic World Cup triumph, injured pace bowler Mark Wood has be sidelined for between four and six weeks.

England’s selectors were keen to get Roy red-ball practice ahead of the Ashes series against old rivals Australia, which starts on Aug.1 at Edgbaston.

However, Durham’s Wood, who has a side strain, and Sussex paceman Jofra Archer, suffering from the same injury, were not selected for the Ireland clash. Wood is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks following the injury he sustained in Sunday’s final, leaving him certain to miss the start of the five-Test Ashes.

Roy’s aggressive approach set the tone for England’s World Cup run, which culminated in Sunday’s thrilling final victory over New Zealand.

With England meeting Ireland at Lord’s in a Test match next week -- scheduled for four days instead of the standard five -- Roy will be handed the chance to underline his ability to thrive in the longer form of the sport as well as in limited overs.

It will be the 28-year-old’s first first-class match since last November when he batted at number three for the England Lions against Pakistan A in Abu Dhabi, making 59 off 73 balls.

England chairman of selectors Ed Smith confirmed Roy would make his debut against Ireland, telling Sky Sports: “We have total confidence he will be able to adapt to red ball cricket.”

On James Anderson’s chances of being involved against Ireland as he returns from a calf tear, Smith added: “It’s not clear. He’s making good progress and, if he’s fit to play without risk against Ireland, that’s a possibility.”

After Eoin Morgan captained England’s World Cup team, it is Joe Root who resumed his role as Test skipper against Ireland.

Root’s squad includes Somerset bowling all-rounder Lewis Gregory, 27, who earned his first call-up after impressing for Somerset and the England Lions.

Agence France-Presse


England squad to face Ireland in the Lord’s Test starting on July 24: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes