Most of the English fans were speculating why Harry Brook is not in the World Cup 2023 squad. They all wanted to see the young talent getting a place in the team and infact play at the biggest stage of ODI cricket. Jason Roy who has been in and out of the team for last few years, has been axed from the England’s World Cup squad.
Roy’s chances of participation in the World Cup were already slim because of back spasm problems he has been through in last few months. He couldn’t make it to the playing XI against New Zealand in ODIs and T20Is for the same reason.
Roy was integral Part of England’s triumphant 2019 World Cup squad, specially in providing quick and substantial start to England’s innings. Dawid Malan who was given an opportunity to open the innings for England against New Zealand, did an excellent job with the bat. Malan scored 54, 96 and 127, and rightly adjudged player of the series.
Brook Impresive Enough to be in World Cup Squad
Cricket experts and pundits were expressing their desire to see Harry Brook in England’s World Cup squad. He short IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad wasn’t productive, he scored a century but other than that, it was all struggle for him. Brook was given an opportunity in ODIs against New Zealand and he scored 25, 2 and 10.
This might not look like a performance that has elevated Brook to the World Cup squad but his intent and potential of what he can do once he gets going has surely earned him a place. Before ODIs, Brook batted impressively in the T20I series and had a fantastic century to his name during the Hundred.
Brook’s inclusion in the World Cup squad might go either way for England. It is unlikely that he will be a starting 11 because Malan has done so well at the top and it will be no less than injustice to his consistency and hard work if he loses his position to Harry Brook in the squad.
“Leaving Roy was a tough decision”, Luke Wright
Jason Roy was dropped from the T20 World Cup 2022 squad because he was out of form. This will be now his second straight year to miss a big tournament for England. A tough pill to swallow for Roy but such is the nature of the game.
Jofra Archer in contention for World Cup 2023 selection
With World Cup on the horizon, some tough decisions had to be made and Buttler’s reflection on this entire scene has a strong expression. “He’s (Roy) been working hard to be fit and available, but we now have a few days to regroup – the coach, the captain, the selectors, or whatever – and just work out exactly what we need to do moving forward,” Buttler said.
Luke Wright, the national selector of England Men’s team, said that it was a tough decision to leave out a world class player like Jason Roy but some tough decisions needed to be made and Harry Brook has been impressive enough throughout the summer to have a place in the World Cup squad.
