Jason Roy has turned down the chance to play in England’s final two ODIs against Ireland, with uncapped Somerset batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore instead added to the squad.
Roy was axed from England’s World Cup squad last week after missing the entirety of the recent New Zealand series with back spasms.
Dawid Malan’s superb form in those matches has seen him displace Roy as England’s first-choice to partner Jonny Bairstow heading into the World Cup, with the more versatile Harry Brook - who was left out of a provisional XV last month - then called-up in place of Roy as the spare batter in Jos Buttler’s squad.
Speaking on Monday morning, selector Luke Wright confirmed that the door remained open to Roy as a World Cup reserve should England suffer an injury at the top of the order and revealed that the Surrey batter had been offered the chance to prove his form and fitness by playing against Ireland.
However, the 33-year-old has turned down that option, with no decision yet made on whether he will accept a standby role during the World Cup. England are set to leave all of their reserves, bar seamer Jofra Archer, at home until called upon.
Roy, who was also dropped from the T20 side on the eve of last year’s World Cup in that format, had hinted in recent interviews that he would retire from international cricket after this autumn’s tournament in India and it appears possible that he has played his final game for his country.
The opening game of the Ireland series was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Leeds on Wednesday, where one of the bowlers’ run-ups was deemed unplayable following persistent morning rain.
Joe Root had been part of what was otherwise a second-string squad for that match, having asked to play on his home ground in a bid to find form ahead of the World Cup.
However, despite missing out on an opportunity to bat at Headingley, Root will play no further part in the series, instead resting until England fly to India next week.
That has opened the door to Kohler-Cadmore, who is currently playing in Somerset’s County Championship meeting with Kent and will join up with the England squad once that game is finished, ahead of Saturday’s second ODI at Trent Bridge.
