EDICRIC | Cricket News | England 2023 ODI World Cup Squad: Harry Brook In, Jason Roy Out
England 2023 ODI World Cup Squad: Harry Brook In, Jason Roy Out
In a surprising turn of events, defending champions England have made a late change to their World Cup plans, replacing seasoned campaigner Jason Roy with the dynamic young batsman Harry Brook in their final 15-member squad. This move has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, as Roy has been a cornerstone of England’s ODI success in recent years.
“Jason Roy Out, World Cup Squad England”
Jason Roy, at 33, has been a pivotal figure in England’s ODI resurgence and their triumph in the 2019 World Cup. However, his journey after that historic win has been a rollercoaster ride. Back spasms sidelined him for the recent four-ODI series against New Zealand, leading to concerns about his fitness. While there were speculations about his potential inclusion to face Ireland later this week, the selectors opted to leave him out of the squad entirely. This decision could potentially mark the end of his international career, as Roy had previously indicated that the 2023 World Cup would be his swansong after declining a central contract with the England Cricket Board.
Roy did score crucial centuries this year in Bloemfontein and Mirpur, but his overall average of 31.78 in the period after the last World Cup, coupled with his recurrent back troubles, played a role in sealing his fate. To make matters worse for him, Dawid Malan’s impressive performance against New Zealand, amassing 277 runs from three games at an astonishing average of 92.33, further solidified his position in the squad.
“Selectors’ Perspective”
Luke Wright, England’s national selector, emphasized the strength of their white-ball squad and the tough decisions they had to make. He stated, “We have selected a squad we are confident can go to India and win the World Cup. The strength of the group has meant that we have had to make some tough decisions on world-class players with Jason Roy missing out and Harry Brook coming into the squad.”
“Harry Brook In, World Cup Squad England”
Stepping into Jason Roy’s shoes is Harry Brook, who was initially left out of the provisional squad when Ben Stokes reversed his retirement to make himself available for the ODI World Cup defense. Brook featured in three of the four games against New Zealand, primarily as an opener, but managed scores of 25, 2, and 10. However, Brook has made significant strides in his international career over the past year and a half, especially with his impressive performances in the Test format.
Harry Brook’s inclusion is the only change from the provisional squad announced earlier. The squad includes the likes of Jos Buttler (captain), Ben Stokes, Dawid Malan, and other key players who will be looking to defend their World Cup title.
“All Eyes On Harry Brook”
As the World Cup draws near, all eyes will be on Harry Brook to see if he can justify his selection in the final squad and fill the void left by Jason Roy. England’s first match in the tournament is against New Zealand on October 5, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits to witness if this last-minute change will affect England’s title defense. The final date for squad changes for the World Cup is September 28, so there’s still a chance for Jason Roy to make a comeback if circumstances permit.
In the end, it’s a testament to England’s depth in white-ball cricket that they can make such bold decisions and remain confident in their pursuit of World Cup glory. The stage is set, and the countdown to the 2023 Cricket World Cup has begun, promising cricket fans around the globe a thrilling spectacle in India.
England’s squad for the World Cup: Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
