World T20: 'Jason Roy's instinct shone through against New Zealand'
Opener stayed trued to himself, says Hussain
Thursday 31 March 2016 13:28, UK
Jason Roy stayed true to his positive instincts as England turned in the complete performance to qualify for Sunday's World Twenty20 final, says Nasser Hussain.
Opener Roy averaged just 12 in T20 cricket on England's tour of South Africa this winter but hit back to smash a career-best 78 in a seven-wicket semi-final victory.
"England were absolutely brilliant throughout - it was the complete performance," said former England captain Hussain.
"I applaud the selectors for what they've done with Jason Roy. After the tour that he had in South Africa, where his T20 stats were poor, past regimes would have dropped him out for James Vince.
"But they stuck with him and Roy has stayed true to himself and this 'new England' and said 'I'm not going to play for myself, I'm going to play for the team in this carefree attitude' and that's come through. That positive instinct shone through and he was absolutely outstanding.
"In the past we were fearful of picking players like Roy, Hales, Rashid for fear of upsetting our Test match boys - almost rewarding Test match performance with limited overs caps.
"The selectors have picked them now and the coaching staff and Eoin Morgan have given them licence to go out and express themselves.
"They've had some hurdles, losing in South Africa, and they didn't play particularly well against the West Indies but they are gaining momentum.
"A little over a year ago they were being blasted by Brendon McCullum's New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup - they were given a lesson.
"Today they gave New Zealand a lesson. That's how much they've turned it around. Sometimes you fluke wins in T20, today they walloped them."
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Previously unbeaten New Zealand posted a below-target of 153-8 after scoring just 64-7 from the last 10 overs of their innings as Ben Stokes (3-26) and Chris Jordan made runs hard to come by.
"The bowling attack has improved with every game. England were all over the place with the new ball in South Africa and I think even they would admit they didn't bowl particularly well," said Hussain.
"Then you see how they were in the second 10 overs today; it wasn't just straight yorkers, there were also the wide yorkers to Munro.
"It was clever - they'd done their planning and realised that this lad sets himself. They got their plans right and put them into practice well.
"Jordan - probably one of the best death bowlers since Darren Gough and Andrew Flintoff - absolutely nailed his yorkers."
Watch England in Sunday's World Twenty20 Final live on Sky Sports 2 this Sunday from 1.30pm.
