Flyhalf Jason Roy is expected to remain in England’s World Cup squad even though he did not feature in the series against New Zealand, according to James Anderson.
Roy missed the 3-1 one-day win due to back spasms and could face Ireland next week to show his fitness.
Harry Brook did not press his claim in Roy’s absence, with scores of 25, two and 10.
“If Roy is not fit, I’m sure Brook will replace him, but if Roy is fit, he will definitely leave,” Anderson said.
Roy, who was part of the England squad that won the World Cup in 2019, was named in August in a squad of 15 which coach Luke Wright said would defend the trophy in India in October and November.
However, since then captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott have said there could be changes, with the team’s line-up expected to be finalized next week.
After missing the first three matches of the series against New Zealand, Roy took part in England’s warm-up ahead of the final match at Lord’s on Friday.
But when the team was named in the draw, Roy was again omitted, with Buttler saying he could play in the three-match series against Ireland, for which England named a separate squad of 13 players.
Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, said on Test Match Special: “I saw Jason Roy on the field today, he was taking high catches, playing with a rugby ball and running everywhere and he looked virtually pain free.
“For me he is part of the World Cup squad because I feel like he has played a big enough role over the last two years.
“He was in good form when he played. Brook wasn’t in the original squad and he didn’t do anything to make me think he had to go.”
England will play the World Cup opener against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5; their final team must be named before September 28.
It could have been announced as early as this weekend, but Buttler said a delay was “absolutely” helpful.
Pace bowler Mark Wood and leg-spin bowler Adil Rashid are also injured, although neither appears to be a doubt for the World Cup.
“It gives us time to gather information,” Buttler told Test Match Special. “When the games are going on, it’s a bit difficult to know exactly where people are. Now that the series is over, it allows us to figure out where everyone is, or how we should use this Irish series. That will take a little time. a little time.”
Roy could feature in the first match against Ireland at Headingley on Wednesday.
Eoin Morgan, who was captain when England won the World Cup in 2019, told Sky Sports: “He has to play in the Ireland series because you can’t go into a selection meeting with a certain degree of confidence and choose him for the World Cup. at present.
“He needs to have some playing time, recovery and possibly another match to prove his fitness for the World Cup.”
If Roy is fit to make it to the World Cup, he may no longer be a part of the starting XI after Dawid Malan grabbed the opportunity to open the batting.
Malan’s 127 in the fourth ODI against New Zealand followed scores of 54 and 96 earlier in the series. The left-hander reached 1,000 ODI runs in his 21st innings, a speed bettered only by three other batters in the history of the match.
“He bowled brilliantly,” Buttler said. “He’s been very consistent every time he’s had his opportunity.
“He can play in several different styles, opening the batting or as a number three as well. We know he has that game. We asked everyone to try to be a little more aggressive and he has it certainly shown too. today.”
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