I can’t wait for the Champions Trophy, it’s going to be incredible: Jason Roy

In the last year or so, England has gained from strength to strength in the limited overs format after their disastrous performance in the 2015 World in Australia and New Zealand. Being an overwhelming underdog to becoming one of the hot contenders for the upcoming Champions Trophy in June, England’s rise to the pinnacle has been exceptional. One player who has played a major role in rejuvenating the spirited England side is none other than their opener Jason Roy.

He is a devastating batsman from the word go and has the ability to change the complexion of the match within a blink of an eye with his audacious strokeplay. His only drawback is that he fails to convert his fifties into a big one but always provides the ideal start to England which keeps them in good stead throughout the match.

Despite making his debut not so long ago, Roy has become the senior opener in the England set up with Alex Hales recuperating from an injury. Sam Billings his current opening partner is also a pretty destructive batsman in his own rights but Roy expects Hales to be back as his opening partner straightaway after he recuperates from his injury.

“Obviously competition for places is high in our ranks, we’ve some very good players,” Roy was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph. “Obviously Hales will probably come straight back in, I would have thought, he deserves that spot. But it’s a big opportunity for Billings to come in and show what he’s got. I like batting with all of them. They all bring different qualities when they bat together.

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“I can’t wait for the Champions Trophy, it’s going to be incredible, especially being on home turf. It’s a first Champions Trophy and first major 50-over competition for me as well so I’m hugely excited,” he further added. Roy who was expected to fetch huge amount of money in the IPL Auction remained unsold in the first round of bidding.

“I woke myself up at 4am and had a look at the auction. It said ‘Jason Roy unsold’ and I was like … I threw my phone onto the floor and was like, ‘I’m just useless’. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get picked up in the second round.” Roy said. Gujarat Lions eventually bought him for £120,000.

“It’s not just about the money, no. Not at all. It’s the first time I’m involved in it, I wasn’t expecting too much. Obviously the two big fellas [Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills] won the lottery there and I’m very happy for them. Stokes was blown away that morning. It’s not about the money – obviously that is nice – but to go out there and play and experience different players and to be able to learn from different players will be amazing. You get used to playing in front of massive crowds and, being an overseas player, the pressure is on to do well. It’s all foundation blocks to a big tournament,” Roy concluded.