Hales backs Roy to snap form slump

Alex Hales has backed his opening teammate Jason Roy to fight his way out of a form slump after another single-figure score by the struggling England batsman.

Roy was out for one in the third over of England’s successful pursuit of 306 against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy tournament opener at The Oval on Thursday.

Thursday’s dismissal was the fifth time in six innings the 26-year-old has failed to reach double figures, a series of scores stretching back to England’s first one-day international against Ireland in May.

Despite the lean run, England have won five of those six matches and his opening partner Hales, who made 95 against Bangladesh, is confident his teammate will turn his fortunes around sooner rather than later.

"It’s tough to see," Hales said after play on Thursday. "I’ve had the same thing as well a few times down the line when I’ve been struggling for form.

"He’s a very level-headed guy and he knows that a big score is just around the corner.

"All the guys have the faith and belief in him."

While England are unlikely to change a powerful batting order that has consistently scored more than 300 in the past two years, waiting in the wings is the in-form Jonny Bairstow.

Bairstow has played three ODIs for England this summer for scores of 10no, 72no and 51 and blasted his way to 174 for Yorkshire in England’s domestic 50-over competition.

But the 27-year-old should remain on the sidelines and Roy retain his place as a show of faith, according to former England captain Nasser Hussain.

“My opinion is that Jonny Bairstow could not do anything more to get into this side,” Hussain told talkSPORT’s Kick Off on the eve of the tournament.

“Would he make it into an England side on the runs he’s got? Would he get into most sides in world cricket? Yes.

“But, Jason Roy is England’s opening batsman for the last year or two – and he’s played brilliantly in that position.

“Jonny Bairstow has never opened the batting for England in a one-day game, and going into a major tournament like this to suddenly go with Jonny Bairstow at the top strikes a little bit of panic - and strikes a little of what we have done in the past.

“I just think it sends the wrong message out. Back someone.”

England’s next Champions Trophy match is against New Zealand on June 6 in Cardiff. 

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Other squads: Every Champions Trophy squad

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)