Alec Stewart backs Jason Roy to be on Ashes tour as Stokes' replacement

Former England wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart feels that Jason Roy could be an ideal fit in the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series. The ECB had recently announced the squad for the Ashes 2017-18. However, with their star all-rounder Ben Stokes being a doubtful starter for the tour, a big void has come up in the squad.

Stokes was involved in an unwanted alleged brawl in Bristol that saw him being ineligible for national selection until the investigations get over. Alec Stewart feels that Jason Roy has all the ability to be a game changing batsman. He cited the performances of Roy in the final two ODIs against West Indies as a testimony of his talent. He added that Roy could be a good fit at number 6 in the longest format of the game.

“Jason is very much a match-changing batsman – that’s my take. He hasn’t got Test experience and yes, he was shy of runs at the start of the summer. But I think the last two innings show his ability. He was under the cosh a bit. He had been out of sorts and dropped, therefore he had to grab his opportunity,” quoted Alec Stewart.

“Although he didn’t get three figures in either innings, I think he showed that he stepped up when he really had to. Jason doesn’t know what is going to happen to Hales, so he had to put in a performance where his team-mates, coaches and the selectors would take notice – and he did that. I personally wouldn’t be against him being that No.6 batsman in the Test line-up for his game-changing ability,” he added.

Banging hundreds in longer formats

Alec Stewart further added that Roy has been plundering runs in the four day domestic competitions. He, thereby concluded that if there is a need to get a replacement for Stokes on the tour, then it has to be Jason Roy.

“In four-day cricket he bangs out hundreds and he has now played international cricket for a period of time. And because there isn’t anyone in that middle order who can bat like Stokes, I would look at Jason Roy. People will say, ‘take your Surrey hat off’ and I’ve taken it off. I’m looking at trying to avoid massive disruption in that line-up,” he conceded.