Harry Brook has been selected for England’s Cricket World Cup squad after Jason Roy was dropped to make way for the dynamic young batsman. Roy was included in England’s provisional 15-man squad, but the selectors made a last-minute switch by naming Brook instead for the tournament in India. Roy missed the recent one-day internationals against New Zealand with back spasms, leaving him unable to withstand growing calls for the magnificent Brook to be selected. Brook was part of the England Test squad that salvaged a 2-2 Ashes series draw against Australia earlier this season and also impressed with his powerful batting for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
It was reported that England white-ball coach Matthew Mott called Roy to deliver the bad news after finalizing the squad with the captain Jos Buttlerchoose Luke Wright and Chief Executive of Men’s Cricket Rob Key.
“The strength of the group has meant we’ve had to make some tough decisions about world-class players, with Jason Roy missing something and Harry Brook coming into the squad,” Wright said.
“We have selected a squad that we are confident can go to India and win the World Cup. We are blessed with an incredibly strong group of white-ball players, which was underlined by the performance in the series win against a very good New Zealand team.”
Roy has played more one-day internationals than any other England player since they were crowned world champions in 2019, making 32 appearances.
It was his throw that led to the run-out that sealed the 50-over World Cup for England in the 2019 final against New Zealand.
But it is understood that concerns over his fitness were part of the decision, coupled with his declining form, as the selectors sought to find a place for Brook.
Roy’s output has dropped from a career average of 42.79 at the end of the 2019 final to just 31.78 subsequently.~check~
He had already lost his Twenty20 berth on the eve of the short-lived World Cup last year, which was also won by England.
In Roy’s absence, Dawid Malan is set to open the batting for England concurrently Jonny Bairstow.
England travel with eight of the team that won on home soil at the last World Cup.
Brook has only played six ODIs but is regarded as a future star in all formats.
He was unable to make a watertight case for inclusion as he scored 37 in three innings during Roy’s absence against New Zealand, but his versatility and immense promise ultimately worked in his favour.
England test captain Ben Stokeswho came out of ODI retirement last month, was included in the squad along with the Surrey pace bowler Gus Atkinsonwho only made his ODI debut against New Zealand earlier this month.
England play New Zealand in their opening match at the World Cup on October 5, with the 10-team tournament running until November 19.
England’s World Cup squad: Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen AliGus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam LivingstoneDawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe RootBen Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes
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