‘Ruthless’ Roy impresses Root

CARDIFF: Joe Root has praised the “ruthlessness” and “clarity” shown by fellow England batsman Jason Roy following his  exploits in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Roy made 112 not out in England’s 10-wicket win in the second ODI at Edgbaston. He followed that up with a stunning knock of 162 off just 118 balls at Oval in the fourth ODI, giving England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

“It was great to see, the way he went about it and the ruthlessness as well at the end, you could see by his reaction when he got out,” Root speaking to Sky Sports in Cardiff on Friday, said of the 25-year-old Roy’s innings at The Oval, which was just five runs shy of Robin Smith’s all-time England ODI record score.

“There was real thought and clarity in the way he went about his business, which previously you might not have associated with Jason. That shows how he’s developed during his time in an England shirt and where he wants to take his game.”