Who Will Replace Jason Roy In T20 World Cup Semifinal?

Cricket Image for Who Will Replace Jason Roy In T20 World Cup Semifinal? (Image Source: AFP)

Just when England thought everything is going perfect for them in the T20 World Cup 2021, they have dealt with a huge of losing two key players - Tymal Mills and Jason Roy. 

While they have replaced Mills with Mark Wood, but replacing Roy would be huge shoes to fill. He hit 123 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 138.2 but most importantly gave England the required start along with Jos Buttler. Out of 123, 85 runs off Roy's bat came inside the powerplay at a strike rate of over 130. 

Now that Roy is doubtful to play, Sam Billings is likely to replace him in the playing XI but who will open is the question England has to find the answer to. 

Moeen Ali has so far got limited opportunity to bat. He is likely to open the innings in place of Roy. Ali has been batting at the top order for a while now and strikes at 133.76 inside the powerplay. Opening with Buttler will also help in the Left-Righty combination. 

Sam Billings will move to Ali's position. Billings strikes at 128 in the middle overs and then at over 171 in the death overs. 

Why Not Dawid Malan for opening? 

Malan plays the anchor role in the powerful England batting lineup. His 122 strike in the powerplay doesn't help England to maximise the restrictions in the field. 

England will take on New Zealand on 10th November at Abu Dhabi in the 1st Semifinal of the T20 World Cup.