David Willey misses out Joe Root fit for selection in 1st T20I

After another series on the tour that went to the hosts the India vs England T20I series is all set to get underway at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur tomorrow. Both the teams are in the city since the conclusion of the 3rd ODI at Kolkata and are gearing up for the face off in the shortest format.

The English team that finally managed to secure a win on tour has a pleasant and a not so pleasant news. While their star batsman Joe Root available to play pacer David Willey won’t be fit for selection. During his interaction with the media ahead of the match England captain Eoin Morgan said that Root is match fit and ready play the match tomorrow.

He had some discomfort after the second ODI and missed the last match of the series. “Joe has recovered really well, it was just a niggle and a risk we didn’t feel we needed to take given it was a bit of a dead rubber,” Morgan said.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow was included in the team as his replacement and he responded in a positive manner scoring a half century and playing a substantial knock that helped them post over 300 runs in the 3rd ODI. Talking about the series being an opportunity for those who haven’t yet got games the English skipper added, “It was also a good opportunity for the guys who’ve sat on the sideline to show the form they’re in. Joe is fit for this game.”

But along with the positive news of Root’s comeback, he also mentioned that pacer David Willey will not be able to make it to the team for the 1st T20I having suffered a shoulder injury during in the final ODI. Tymal Mills will most probably replace Willey in the XI tomorrow.

“David flew in yesterday, missed practice in the morning and he won’t be fit for selection. Nothing serious showed up on the scan, which is a huge positive because initially it looked quite painful, but he won’t be fit for tomorrow’s game.” Morgan said.