Joe Root backs slugger Jason Roy to become first England player to smash a double ton in one-day cricket after Oval antics
Surrey opener Roy plundered a magnificent 162 from 118 balls in Wednesday’s terrific win over Sri Lanka in London
JOE ROOT says Jason Roy can become the first England batsman to score a double-century in one-day cricket.
Surrey slugger Roy plundered 162 from 118 balls in Wednesday’s win over Sri Lanka at The Oval — second only to Robin Smith’s 167 not out as England’s highest.
Root said: “The way J-Roy went about his innings and the maturity and ruthlessness he showed was fantastic.
“There are definitely a number of players in our team capable of getting scores of more than 200.
“Anybody in our top six could do it — that’s frightening. He got out in the 38th over and, if it had been a 50-over match, he was on course to make a massive score.”
Root admits he feels in danger at the non-striker’s end when Roy, 25, is blazing away.
Jimmy to Lord it up
JAMES ANDERSON steps up his bowling comeback this weekend in his bid to make the First Test.
The crocked Lancashire swinger, 33, is confident of being fit to face Pakistan at Lord’s on July 14.
Anderson will not face Nottinghamshire tomorrow but will send down gentle balls at Trent Bridge.
He said: “I’m optimistic I’ll be OK for Lord’s. I’ll try to crank up my pace.”
England feared his shoulder fracture would see him miss the series.
ENGLAND women have called up Lancashire spinner Sophie Ecclestone, 17, for tomorrow’s T20 against Pakistan.
The Yorkshire batsman, who hopes to seal a 3-0 ODI series win in Cardiff today, added: “Jason gives it a good clout.
“There were a couple the other day when I would have been in a spot of bother if they’d been a couple of yards lower. I’m not surprised umpires are wearing helmets.”
Opener Alex Hales, who hurt his back at The Oval, is set to play after a long net yesterday.