Jason Roy has not felt any backlash from forfeiting his incremental deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board as he revealed he will head into contract talks later this year with an open mind.
The World Cup-winning opening batter’s decision to pursue a lucrative offer of around £300,000 for two seasons in Major League Cricket in the United States led to him becoming the first England player to relinquish a national contract – his was thought to be worth between £60,000 and £70,000 per year.
Roy was downgraded from a more lucrative full central contract last October after a prolonged dip in form led to him being dropped ahead of England’s triumphant T20 World Cup-winning campaign.
But any notion of a messy break-up was squashed by both parties when the announcement was made in May – despite an ongoing tug-of-war between countries’ governing bodies and T20 franchise leagues over the availability of top talent – with Roy adamant that representing England remained his priority.
He has been further eased by discussions with the managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key since then and has not ruled out signing a new ECB deal when they are up for renewal in October.
“Everything got left very well with England,” Roy told the PA news agency.
“They had no problem with me going to play in America, but the way they saw fit to deal with the whole situation was for me to do that and lose my contract for a few months.
“I’ll have a contract talk in October and then we’ll go from there. The conversations around it are very good. I’ve spoken to Rob quite a bit. As far as I’m concerned, everything’s pretty rosy.”
Roy is expected to be central to the defence of England’s 50-over World Cup defence in India in the autumn but he still harbours hopes of breaking back into the T20 set-up.
“I don’t think my T20 international career is over and the (contract) conversations have been along those lines as well,” he said.
Roy, though, is well aware his value will be measured by what he does at the crease.
Having featured in three matches of the inaugural MLC season last month for Los Angeles Knight Riders, he is back in England for The Hundred, where he averaged a meagre 8.5 with the bat from six matches last term.
After a forgettable 2022, Roy has rebounded with ODI centuries in South Africa and Bangladesh, plus a few eye-catching displays in this year’s Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League, although a calf injury ruled him out of the majority of the Vitality T20 Blast.
Back to full fitness, Roy was involved as his Oval Invincibles side started The Hundred with a tense three-wicket win over local rivals London Spirit at Lord’s in a low-scoring thriller on Wednesday.
“It was a disappointing year last year but I wasn’t enjoying myself, I wasn’t enjoying cricket throughout the year, it was a bit of a tough one,” Roy said.
“To go from (his form in The Hundred) to midway through the comp losing my World Cup place and then my contract was quite a lot to swallow, I think 2022 can do one.
“Now I’m enjoying my cricket, I’m back to absolutely loving it and if the results come then they come but the main thing is I’m actually enjoying turning up to the ground now.
“It’s a funny game and loads can happen but I’m definitely doing the right things to help make me perform. I’ve just got to score runs at the end of the day and see what it brings me.
“If I look too far ahead, it’s a bit of a rubbish way of doing it. Look at the game in front of me, score runs there then look at the next game and score runs there and go from there.”
Jaiswal, Rahul and Bumrah put India in control against Australia
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul's unbroken century partnership put India in complete control of their first Test against Australia on day two in Perth.
Jaiswal (90 not out) and Rahul (62 not out) left India 172-0 at stumps, extending their advantage to 218 runs after the hosts were bowled out for 104.
Australia resumed on 67-7 but were only able to add 37 runs to their overnight total, with Jasprit Bumrah completing a five-for with the dismissals of Pat Cummins (three) and Alex Carey (21) early on.
Nathan Lyon followed shortly after, but Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood added 25 from 110 before Starc edged India debutant Harshit Rana (3-48) behind to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
After a tentative start to India's chase, Jaiswal and Rahul eventually found their groove, though the former was fortunate to see his attempted drive dropped by Usman Khawaja at second slip when on 51.
Following a first day that saw 17 wickets fall, India's openers were rarely troubled as they cruised through the remainder of the session to give the tourists a comfortable lead.
Data Debrief: Trouble in Paradise
Only four Tests have been played at the Optus Stadium in Perth and all have been won by Australia, but they face a huge task of maintaining that perfect record.
The hosts' total of 104 runs was also their fourth-lowest score against India in Tests and ninth-lowest at home since 1900.
And while Jaiswal and Rahul will receive plaudits for their showing with the bat, Bumrah starred with the ball. He struck with his opening delivery of the day and has now claimed his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests and ninth outside Asia – the latter stat seeing him equal Kapil Dev's record for India.
West Indies targeting 400 mark after strong start against Bangladesh
West Indies are targeting a big score as they look to put Bangladesh firmly on the back foot after an impressive showing on day one.
Mikyle Louis plundered 97 and Alick Athanaze scored 90 as West Indies reached stumps on Friday at 250-5.
Justin Greaves (11 not out) and Joshua Da Silva (14 not out) will return to the crease on Saturday and Louis is confident the Windies can push on and stamp their authority on the opening Test.
As reported by the ICC, Louis said: "I think we are in a strong position, and we have Justin and Joshua at the crease now.
"I hope they will have a good partnership, I am hoping for a 400-plus score on this pitch."
Taskin Ahmed (2-46) was Bangladesh's standout bowler on day one, though Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1-47) clinched the vital wicket of Louis.
Reflecting on his innings, after falling just three runs short of his maiden Test century, Louis said: "It was an innings of phases. Initially, there was a little moisture, it was slow and nipping.
"The partnership between myself and Alick was one of substance. He guided me, he is more experienced and he fed me information."
West Indies have won six of their last seven Test series against Bangladesh (L1) including each of their last two.
However, the Windies are winless in their last four Tests at home (D2 L2) after winning three consecutive matches prior to that span, including two wins against Bangladesh; they are looking to avoid losing back-to-back home games for the first time since June 2021.
Inglis hails 'hard to stop' Stoinis after ruthless knock
Josh Inglis lauded "hard to stop" Marcus Stoinis as Australia signed off their T20I series against Pakistan in style, claiming a whitewash.
The hosts raced to a seven-wicket victory with almost nine overs remaining in Monday's third match.
After Australia's bowlers had limited Pakistan to just 117 runs, Stoinis ensured they signed off their final white-ball assignment in style, with his unbeaten 61 doing the damage.
Only twice has he bettered that knock in T20Is – versus New Zealand in 2021 (78) and against Oman at the World Cup earlier this year (67*).
"It's been a great week. We've had a lot of fun as a group," Inglis said. "It's been really nice.
"When Stoinis is going like that, he is really hard to stop. One of those sixes was probably the biggest I've ever seen!"
Stoinis, who was named player of the match, added: "Nice to score some runs on a beautiful wicket but credit to the bowlers who kept the total down.
"Yeah, I actually told [Haris] Rauf that this is the first time any of us got the better of him! No, he's a brilliant bowler, bowled well this series."
During their white-ball tour, Pakistan won the ODI series, their first time doing so in Australia in 22 years, but got whitewashed in the T20Is.
Despite the heavy loss, captain Agha Salman chose to focus on the positive effect the experience will have on their young players.
"I think in the middle overs, we didn't capitalise on the start," he said. "But lots of positives.
"The way Usman [Khan] batted, the way Jahandad [Khan] bowled. These youngsters will come good.
"It's obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done much better in the T20Is."
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