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Roy set to return as England prepare for ‘away match’ against India

by Wisden Staff 5 minute read

Jason Roy is in line to return to the top of England’s batting order against India on Sunday for a World Cup game Eoin Morgan predicts will feel like “an away match”.

Roy was stopped in his tracks by injury after scoring 215 runs in his first three innings, tearing a hamstring while fielding against the West Indies, and the opener watched England’s damaging defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia from the sidelines.

His replacement at the top of the order, James Vince,  has made only 40 runs from three innings and will give way at Edgbaston barring a last-minute setback for Roy.

“Jason is preparing to play,” England captain Morgan said. “Provided he gets through today’s practice and tomorrow morning unscathed, we think he might be fit to play.”

Eoin Morgan has called on his players to adapt to the Edgbaston conditions

Such is England’s precarious position, needing to win both remaining group games to be certain of a semi-final spot, Morgan is prepared to gamble on losing Roy and Jofra Archer (side strain) for the rest of the tournament – though he emphasised no risks will be taken with either’s long-term fitness.

“If Jason playing is going to rule him out long-term, then we will absolutely not (play him),” Morgan said, “but if it’s going to rule him out for a couple of weeks then, yes, he will play.

“The exact same thing applies with Archer. If it’s long-term, then no. If it’s short-term, then yes. Again, we’re going to see how he comes through. It’s the same thing he’s been playing with the last three games.”

Edgbaston is traditionally a stronghold of India and Paksitan supporters at international tournaments, so much so that Morgan anticipates an atmosphere more like an away game.

“I sort of recall the Champions Trophy final we played here against India,” the 32-year-old said. “It was a complete away game. We had a number of fans in the ground, but the noise the Indian fans make with horns makes it that much louder. So yes, this will feel like an away game.”

England and India will compete on a fresh pitch rather than the surface that offered extravagant spin during New Zealand’s defeat to Pakistan. Whatever its characteristics, Morgan says England must prove they can adapt their heavy hitting to a track which does not necessarily play to their strengths.

“We want to play on best possible batting wicket and we always do,” he said. “We bat deep and we bat strong. It’s an area we’re more confident. Everybody knows that. But where we’ve let ourselves down as a group if adapting to conditions. It’s been a bigger challenge in this World Cup than previous bilateral series that we’ve played. This is going to be the same. We’re going to have to adapt to conditions and to playing against a strong side in India.”

Virat Kohli has been surprised by England’s World Cup results

Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli, whose side are the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, admits he did not expect England to be in their current predicament.

“Everyone is surprised. We thought England were probably going to dominate in their own conditions,” said Kohli. “But I said at the beginning of the tournament, pressure is going to be a massive factor.

“Other teams have outplayed England on occasions, that can happen to any side. England have to sort out their own issues, I guess. The more basic you can keep things at a tournament like a World Cup, the better. The more you attach emotion or excitement to it the more you put too much pressure to a situation.”

This article was brought to you in partnership with Betfair Exchange. Always gamble responsibly.

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