Nasser Hussain backs Jason Roy for opener role in England's Test team

England will play three Tests in Sri Lanka.

Jason Roy celebrates a ton for Surrey | Getty Images

Former England skipper and Cricket Commentator, Nasser Hussain, feels unfair to rate Jason Roy only as a white-ball specialist, saying he has the potential to become an England Test opener.

The Surrey star has been a batting mainstay for England in the white-ball game over the past three years, as his performance with the bat has played a key role in Eoin Morgan’s side becoming No. 1 ODI team in the world.

Roy has been brilliant in the limited overs cricket over the years both in domestic and international cricket, but is yet to play red-ball cricket for England.

At the moment, the 28-year-old is preferred as the middle order batsman by Surrey in the County Championship Division One champions, but Hussain believes that Roy could be a viable choice for England at the top of the order in their Test line-up.

Hussain told Sky Sports, “Why not? Sometimes we’re a bit negative looking at what players can’t do. We need to look at what they can do and Roy does put the opposition under pressure. He is a very talented young man. He is not just a limited-overs specialist and I think he has a lot to offer down the line.”

He signed off by saying, “He puts the opposition attack under pressure. If this had been an Australia, New Zealand or South Africa tour Roy would have been in the Test team. Let’s not label him as a white-ball specialist because I think he’s got more to offer England.”

Joe Root-led England side will play two, two-day warm-up matches in Sri Lanka before heading into the Test series starting from November 6 in Galle.

(Inputs: Sky Sports)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 30 Oct, 2018

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