Jason Roy targets England Test match spot after blasting two centuries in a week in ODI series against Sri Lanka
The Surrey batsman is convinced his thrilling brand of aggression can translate to the five-day format and admits that it is 'a massive ambition' to break into Alastair Cook's team
JASON ROY has unleashed his brutal power in one-day cricket and now wants to do the same in Test matches.
The Surrey batsman is convinced his thrilling brand of aggression can translate to the five-day format.
He insisted: “Playing Test cricket is a massive ambition. It is at the front of the head for all cricketers. Test cricket is the ultimate.
“You want to be walking out to a packed house wearing an England cap, that would be mind-blowing.”
Roy’s monumental knock of 162 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday was England’s second-highest limited-overs score of all time.
After just 24 one-dayers and 14 Twenty20 internationals, he is already known as one of the most destructive hitters in the game.
His innings, from just 118 deliveries, allowed England to chase down their target of 308 in 42 overs with 11 balls to spare. They have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the Royal London series with the final match in Cardiff tomorrow.
If he did play Test cricket, Roy would probably be accommodated in the middle order rather than as an opener.
With Nick Compton and James Taylor no longer available, James Vince still trying to establish himself and doubts over whether Jonny Bairstow or Jos Buttler should keep wicket, the batting line-up is far from nailed down.
His best hope might be a squad place in Bangladesh and India later this year. Scoring more red ball runs for Surrey would help.
Roy, 25, is benefiting from the backing of the England management and captain Eoin Morgan.
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He is encouraged to attack and, if he gets out, there are no repercussions — which has not always been the case with England.
He explained: “There’s a lot of trust between the coaching staff, the captain and the players.
“I play my way and, if it comes off, everyone knows it is to the benefit of the team.
“But I’m not just being reckless. Getting the team off to a good start doesn’t necessarily mean going at 12-an-over, you can go at six, seven or eight and that’s a solid start in a one-day game.
“It is a lovely feeling to have the trust that you can go and do your job. I’ve learned a lot and feel more comfortable now than when I started last year and was all over the show.”
England are continually proving how their one-day cricket has advanced from the shambles of the 2015 World Cup. Their batting is so powerful and confident that no total is beyond their reach.
Assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: “We’re telling the players to be expansive and the top six or seven complement each other.
“At the World Cup 15 months ago, the score we were trying to get was 300 and we were struggling to do that. In our first game of last summer against New Zealand, we went past 400 and now they think anything is possible.”
