Jason Roy is expecting an intense final ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match when England’s players square off against each other in Mumbai tomorrow.
England, who defeated New Zealand in a practice match yesterday, finalise their preparations for Wednesday’s opening Group 1 game versus West Indies by taking on a local side at the Brabourne Stadium.
That team will be made up of local-based players plus four England internationals who fail to win a place in Trevor Bayliss’ XI.
And that promises to set up an intriguing battle between team-mates that Roy believes will get “very aggressive.”
“There are four of our guys playing against us so no doubt they will be putting a huge shift in,” Roy said.
“We’ve had inter-squad games and stuff for my county, Surrey, and also internationally. It does get very feisty, very aggressive.
“You might fall out for the night but we’re all mates so it’s all good.
“I’ll take it the same as the New Zealand game – a bit of match time, taking what I have been working on into a game situation.
“It doesn’t really matter who you are playing against, it’s just the environment of being in the middle of the stadium and taking it all in.”
Having struggled for runs during England’s recent limited-overs series defeats in South Africa, Roy returned to form with a bang against the Black Caps.
The Surrey opener top-scored with 55 from 36 deliveries, which contained seven fours and two sixes, as England chased 170 with four balls to spare.
Bit of momentum going into the first game, great performance today from the team. Solid win. #WT20 #ENG
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) March 12, 2016
Roy thinks his lack of big scores against the Proteas was down to putting too much pressure on himself, something he has worked on at the Kia Oval over the last fortnight.
“I just didn’t get going like I’m used to in South Africa,” he said.
“(Opening the batting) is a nice role to have, however you can put too much pressure on yourself like I did.
“I put too much pressure on myself to go out there and whack it from ball one. I’ve got to realise I need to give myself time, I’m not a robot.
“As well as enjoying myself and whacking it I need to give myself a chance, work hard and accumulate runs.
“A bit of tactical nous instead of just trying to bludgeon the ball is something I’ve learned a huge amount about in the last two-and-a-half weeks. Mentally I’ve been getting myself ready for that back at the Oval.
“In South Africa I should have just freed myself and enjoyed myself instead of expecting to get runs. That’s what I’m doing now, just going into each game and going ball by ball.”
Roy’s disappointing spell with the bat also coincided with a dip in form for England, who lost their last five games on the tour of South Africa.
The 25-year-old is looking to make amends for that at the World T20 as 2010 winners England bid to become the first side to claim two titles.
“We didn’t really do as well as we’d hoped,” Roy said.
“We played some poor cricket in amongst some good cricket, but mostly poor. So the next couple of weeks are huge for us to turn it round.”
Source: ECB