(Image Source: ECB)
[Saba Sports News] Defending champions England have made a late change to their World Cup squad, replacing Jason Roy with Harry Brook from their provisional squad. Roy, 33, was a key member of the team that won the title four years ago but has struggled with injuries and form recently.
He missed the recent ODI series against New Zealand due to back spasms, and despite suggestions of a possible return, he was left out of the squad. This decision could mark the end of Roy’s international career as he had previously stated that this World Cup would be his swansong.
Dawid Malan’s impressive performances in the series against New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Series, solidified his place in the squad. England’s national selector, Luke Wright, expressed confidence in the squad’s strength and tough decisions in selecting the final lineup.
Roy’s replacement, Harry Brook, initially missed out on the provisional squad when Ben Stokes reversed his retirement and made himself available for the World Cup. Brook played three games against New Zealand but had mixed returns.
Despite this, he has shown promise in the last year and a half, particularly in Test cricket with strong performances in the middle-order.
The updated England World Cup squad includes Jos Buttler (c), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Reece Topley, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson.