One of the most destructive openers going around in international cricket, Jason Roy celebrates his 30th birthday on Tuesday (July 21, 2020). The right-handed batsman has been a nemesis of many prominent bowling line-ups and his record speak volumes of his prowess. In fact, Roy has played a crucial part in England’s rise in white-ball cricket after the 2015 World Cup. With minimal feet movement, Roy can hit the ball a long way and his ability to find gaps with ease makes him even more effective. Be it the pacers or a spinner, every type of bowler is taken to the cleaners when Roy is on a roll. This Day That Year: Jason Roy, Chris Woakes Star As England Knock Australia Out of 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Making his debut in 2014, Roy didn’t take long in cementing his place in the national team. His ability to wreak havoc against the new ball bagged a lot of attention and that too on a consistent basis made him a vital of the Eoin Morgan-led set up. Speaking of his numbers, Roy has scored 3434 runs in 86 ODIs and 860 runs in 35 T20Is and that too with an astonishing strike rate to 107.28 and 147.51. Roy, in fact, played a key role in guiding India to the 2019 World Cup title. As the swashbuckling opener turns a year older, let’s revisit some of his best knocks. Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow Named In England's 24-Man Training Group for Ireland ODIs.

180 Vs Australia in Melbourne

Facing the Australian pacers and that too at their own backyard is one of the last things a batsman would want. However, Roy tormented Mitchell Starc and Co in the opening match of 2018 ODI series in down under. Chasing a mammoth score of 305, Roy went after the bowlers from the outset and made his intent very clear. He didn’t play any rash shots but also never let the required run rate to go upwards. His stellar knock ended at 180 runs. However, riding on his mayhem, the visitors won the game by five wickets.

162 vs Sri Lanka in The Oval

The fourth ODI of Sri Lanka’s 2016 of England was affected by rain and the home team was asked to chase 308 runs in just 42 overs. The task looked a jolting one but Roy was up for it. The right-handed batsman rained fours and sixes all over the ground and sent the Lankans on the backfoot. In total, he scored 162 runs off just 118 balls as England won the encounter by six wickets.

153 Vs Bangladesh in Cardiff

Roy crossed the 150-run mark for the third time in his ODI career when England locked horns with Bangladesh in 2019 World Cup. Batting first, Roy went after the opposition bowlers from the word go and got his side off to a flier. After making the maximum utilization of the powerplay overs, Roy went after the spinners as Mashrafe Mortaza and Co looked completely clueless. As a result, England posted 386/6 and went on to win the game by 106 runs.

85 Vs Australia in Birmingham

Stakes were very high when England and Australia locked horns in the semi-finals of 2019 World Cup. The Edgbaston looked favouring the bowlers as Aaron Finch and Co could only post 223 while batting first. Fans were expecting Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to utilize the conditions. However, Jason Roy was there to neutralize their effect. He just didn’t tackle the in-form Aussie pacers brilliantly but also took them to cleaners. He ended up scoring 85 runs off just 65 balls as Australia lost their first-ever semi-final game while England advanced to the finals which they won eventually.

78 Vs New Zealand in Delhi

Another Jason Roy special was seen when England went head to head with New Zealand in the semi-finals of 2016 T20 World Cup. Chasing 154 at the trick Feroz Shah Kotla track, Roy backed his natural game and gathered quick runs in the initial overs. Despite losing wickets at another end, the swashbuckling opener didn’t put his guards down and played a marvellous knock. He scored 78 off 44 balls and England won the game by seven wickets.

Roy will be next seen in action when England will host Ireland in a three-match ODI series, starting from July 30. Well, the right-handed batsman hasn’t played a lot of cricket in recent times owing to the COVID-19 crisis. However, he is expected to continue his blitzes when he takes the field again.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2020 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).