T20 World Cup 2021: England opener Jason Roy ruled out of the tournament, James Vince named replacement

England have confirmed star opener Jason Roy is out for the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 after suffering a calf injury. Roy has been replaced in England’s squad for the rest of their campaign by James Vince, following approval by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee.

England captain Eoin Morgan feared the worst after Roy went down during England’s final Super 12 match against South Africa and the opener has now been ruled out of the tournament. Vince, who has played 12 T20Is and boasts one ODI century, was with the group as a travelling reserve.

Roy’s injury is the second major blow England has suffered during their campaign, with fast bowler Tymal Mills going down with a thigh injury last week. Mills was replaced by Reece Topley. Roy’s presence at the top of the order will be missed by Eoin Morgan’s side, with the star opener boasting an average of 25.30 and strike rate of 144.93 in the format.

“He’s unbelievably important,”  Morgan said after England’s loss to South Africa. “He’s a guy who epitomises everything that we are about in the changing room and the way we play. You see how commanding he is at the top of the order… he’s as close as we get to surmising how the changing room should play.”

Who will open with Jos Buttler?

England have big decision to make over the opening partner of Jos Buttler for the semi-final against New Zealand. James Vince is naturally a top order batter and may be slotted in directly if they are not willing to shuffle the rest of the batting line-up. Another option is to move up either Jonny Bairstow or Liam Livingstone who have the experience of opening the innings before with Sam Billings batting in the middle-order.

Apart from this there might not be any changes to the XI that played against South Africa. Despite their recent injuries, England finished on top of their Super 12 group and take on New Zealand in the tournament’s first semi-final on Wednesday.