Jason Roy has been excluded from England’s final squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, with Harry Brook selected in his place. Roy missed England’s recent ODIs against New Zealand due to back spasms, allowing Dawid Malan to establish himself as the primary opener in his absence. Harry Brook, who was not part of the initial 15-man provisional squad named in August, has been included in the final squad based on his impressive performances in the interim.
Roy’s form had been a concern for England, although he had somewhat allayed those worries with centuries in South Africa and Bangladesh earlier in the year. His omission from the T20 World Cup squad in 2022 had already raised questions about his status as one of England’s key players, a decision that was vindicated by England’s victory in the tournament.
Roy’s struggles in The Hundred and ongoing fitness issues further challenged his place in the team. Malan, filling in for him, performed exceptionally, making two half-centuries and a century as England won the series against New Zealand 3-1, solidifying his spot as the preferred opening partner alongside Jonny Bairstow in England’s first-choice World Cup XI.
The decision to choose between Brook and Roy for the role of England’s backup batter ultimately favored Brook. While Roy is an experienced ODI player with an average just below 40 and a strike rate exceeding 100, Brook is considered one of the most promising young batting talents globally. Brook had showcased his worth with explosive performances in The Hundred and in England’s T20I series against New Zealand, despite limited success in the recent ODIs.
Brook’s versatility also played a part in his selection, as he can slot into the middle order and open, whereas Roy has primarily opened for England in ODIs.
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National selector Luke Wright expressed confidence in the selected squad’s ability to win the World Cup in India. While the squad remains largely unchanged, the decision to omit Roy in favor of Brook reflects England’s commitment to building a formidable white-ball team.
Other than this change, England’s squad remains unchanged, and Jofra Archer, despite returning to England training, has not been included. England has yet to confirm the three traveling reserves for the World Cup.
England’s 2023 Cricket World Cup squad: Jos Buttler (c), Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, David Willey, Sam Curran.