SA vs ENG: Jason Roy Credits Pre-match Chat With Kevin Pietersen For His Terrific Ton vs South Africa In 1st ODI

The 32-year-old England National Cricket Team opening batsman Jason Roy has credited the pre-match chat with former captain Kevin Pietersen for helping him return to form with a wonderful century against South Africa National Cricket Team in the first ODI of the three-match series.

Roy smashed a brilliant century in the ODI series opener against South Africa National Cricket Team at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. He smashed 113 runs off 91 balls, with 11 fours and 4 sixes, but his innings came in a losing cause as the Three Lions faced a 27-run defeat against the Proteas.

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Talking about his pre-match chat with Pietersen, who was invited to have some discussions with the squad ahead of the first ODI, Jason Roy said that they spoke about playing the natural game with a free mindset.

“We spoke about being free, not worrying about the outcome, just playing my game,” Roy said of his chat with Pietersen, as quoted by Mirror.

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“The top of my game is better than what a lot of bowlers can do to me so it was a case of just being positive and – not quite pushing the ‘f— it button’ – but the openness to go out and be myself.

“The big thing for me the night before the game was to go out on my own terms. Do I want to be remembered as a guy who had a great career, smacked it everywhere, then all of a sudden had a year of crap, and is a completely different player? Do I want to be remembered as a guy who went out there and attacked the bowlers? Fair enough I got out, but I got out on my terms.”

I was gutted, extremely gutted – Jason Roy on being left out of the squad for T20 World Cup 2022

Jason Roy was dropped from the England squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 after his string of poor performances in 20-over cricket and under the leadership of Jos Buttler, England went on to win the title on Australian soil.

Reflecting on being dropped, Jason Roy said that he was “extremely gutted” but was proud of the team at the same time.

“I was gutted, extremely gutted. But honestly, I was so proud of that group, I’ve been part of that group for such a long time.

“To see them win that World Cup was incredible. Being where I was mentally, and the lads tearing it apart, that wasn’t easy at first, but then you realise that, that was me once upon a time, and the journey they are embarking on is incredibly special.

“The initial feeling was ‘oh, s***, these guys are overtaking me’. But then it’s ‘pull your head in. You’ve had a great career, you are playing well, if it stops tomorrow, I have had a load of fun’.”

Also Read: SA vs ENG: “I Was A Bit Overcome With A Few Emotions And Stuff Like That” – Jason Roy After His Terrific Ton vs South Africa

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