It has been 27 years since England last played a World Cup final. So when they arrive at Lord’s on July 14, Sunday, to lock horns with New Zealand in the finale, captain Eoin Morgan might want to take a look at who should be his starting XI.
At the World Cup, the Three Lions were hit by a massive injury scar after their opener Jason Roy was ruled out for a few games due to a torn hamstring midway through the competition. Filling in the void was this 28-year-old James Vince. And with him still in contention, we give you three reasons why England should drop Roy and rather go with Vince for the ultimate showdown.
Because New Zealand want to:
Why wouldn’t they?
They say kindness is the best form of humanity, and England serving Kiwis with that respect would earn them the praises from all around the world.
Let’s just all be honest here. One of England’s strengths is their opening order, consisting of Roy, Jonny Bairtsow and Joe Root. While Vince’s numbers speak for himself. As Roy worked his way towards fitness, the 28-year-old formed a ‘formidable’ partnership with Bairstow to register a tally of 26, 14 and 0 in three innings.
Once again Jason Roy goes beyond James Vince's highest ODI score. Shock. #ENGvAUS #CWC19
— Ed Tavares (@Ed166) July 11, 2019
So as we speak of all the Trent Boults and Matt Henrys of the world, wouldn’t they love to give their team a quick head-start? Wouldn’t they want everything that England don’t?
Vince saves money:
Roy’s altercation with the match officials during England’s semi-final win over Australia on Thursday resulted in him being fined 30 percent of his match fee. If it was for Vince, he would have well and truly saved those bucks. You see, New Zealand aren’t the only team benefitting from his inclusion. He is saving England from all the wrongdoings.
Chasing a record:
Judging by how Vince has fared as a batsman, he is well on course of equaling a 32-year-old record. If Vince gets out on a golden duck on Sunday, he will become only the second England opener to achieve the feat, after Tim Robinson in the 1987 World Cup final.
If not for the golden duck, he might also become only the fourth batsman, after Sir Ian Botham, Virender Sehwag and Aaron Finch to go out on a duck in a World Cup final.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby
