Jason Roy out of T20I series, Blast, opts out of IPL; Daniel Sams called up by Delhi Capitals

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that opening batsman Jason Roy will miss out on the T20 series against Pakistan and the Vitality Blast. He has also now opted out of the IPL after sustaining a strain on his left side. Australia’s left-arm pacer and all-rounder, Daniel Sams has been called up by Delhi Capitals as a replacement. 

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read, “England’s Jason Roy has been ruled out of the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan after sustaining a left side strain. The Surrey top-order batsman picked up the injury this week in the team’s preparation at Emirates Old Trafford and had a scan on Wednesday. He will remain with the England set-up and will commence his rehabilitation programme looking ahead to the Australia white-ball series, which starts next month at The Ageas Bowl.”

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The 30-year-old Roy had been aiming to extend a run that has seen him hit four scores of 40 or more in his last five T20 international innings – his most recent fifty coming in February against South Africa.

Roy’s injury might prove to be a boon for Tom Banton, who showed promise in the ODI series against Ireland batting in the middle order. Somerset’s Tom Banton has previously opened in this format before, partnering Jonny Bairstow in Roy’s absence in the series against New Zealand before Christmas last year.

England’s T20 series against Pakistan starts tomorrow at Old Trafford, with the 2nd and 3rd T20 Internationals to be played on the 31st of August and 2nd of September.