Sam Billings Backs Jason Roy To Deliver Defining Performances Against India

England keeper-batsman Sam Billings has thrown his weight behind opener Jason Roy to deliver defining performances in the limited-overs series (three ODIs and five T20Is) in India. While England’s white-ball team has continued to flourish, Jason Roy has radiated mixed returns in his recent games. Nevertheless, Sam Billings believes that the right-handed batsman is only one shot away from coming into form.

Jason Roy featured in the three-match ODI series against Ireland and Australia last summer; however, his highest in those fixtures as 24 alongside registering four single-figure scores. The 30-year old could not craft any telling figures in the T20 series against South Africa late last year, managing only 30 runs in three innings. Nevertheless, Roy remains the frontrunner to open with Jos Buttler in T20Is and Jonny Bairstow in ODIs.

Sam Billings claimed that every top player goes through a lean patch and stated that many have seen in the Big Bash that Jason Roy could be destructive. Billings reminded his top form a couple of years ago and recalled Roy’s knock of 180 at the MCG against Australia in 2018. Billings referred to the South African-born as a world-beater and world-class on his day. Roy was part of Perth Scorchers in 2020-21 Big Bash League and managed 355 runs at 32.27 with a strike rate of 130.51.

“Every top athlete goes through a little bit of a barren patch. We saw in the Big Bash how devastating he can be and we only have to rewind a couple of years before 2018 or the big bash when he went and smashed runs for the Sydney Sixers. We spent a lot of time together and all of a sudden the innings of 180. He is world-class on his day a world-beater, and an X-factor,” Billings told ESPN Cricinfo.

There are signs that he is moving into the right direction: Sam Billings

Billings stays confident that it will merely take one shot from Jason Roy to get back in form, acknowledging that every cricketer goes through rough patches. Still, the Kent cricketer identified that his teammate is moving into the right direction. Thus, Billings predicts Roy to make a statement in India and the upcoming home summer.

“And the thing is with him, I know it will take shot and J Roy will be back and again we will see what he is capable of. It’s just natural for people to go through these little low points, I suppose. But there are signs that he is moving into the right direction. I’ve got no doubt that he will make a statement this series and then moving forward to the English summer as well,” he added.

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