Jason Roy set to learn new England opening partner ahead of Bangladesh clash
Monday 3 October 2016 11:22, UK
Jason Roy says whoever partners him at the top of the order in Friday's opening one-day international with Bangladesh has a "huge opportunity" to stake a claim for a regular spot in the side.
Moeen Ali, Ben Duckett and James Vince are all options to partner Roy in the absence of Alex Hales, who skipped the tour over security fears.
Moeen has made two ODI centuries as an opener but is now batting down the order, while Northants star Duckett is yet to win his first cap.
"Whoever comes in deserves their place and it's exciting to be honest," Roy said. "They've got a huge opportunity to state their mark on international cricket.
"Whether it's Ben Duckett or whoever, I've been batting with a few of the guys in the nets. I don't know who I'm going to open with but I'll just get on with it.
"If it is the new man Duckett I'll help him out throughout the way, he's going to be nervous but he obviously deserves to be here."
Roy has played an important part in England's emergence as a real force in ODI cricket since their humiliating exit from the 2015 World Cup.
He has scored three hundreds since coming into the team last year, is looking forward to adding to his tally.
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"It's been a crazy year and a half, close to two years," he added. "I've loved every minute of it.
"I've still got work to do of course, a lot more runs to be scored, a few more hundreds and stuff like that. I'm one of those guys that doesn't settle for mediocrity, I want it to always be better.
"Of course I want to improve, I want to get more hundreds and win some more games for England, but I'm pretty happy with where I'm at mentally at the moment."
