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Felt it was my responsibility to tell Jason Roy of his World Cup omission: Jos Buttler
Follow UsThe England opener, who finished with 443 runs at 63.28 at the 2019 World Cup, made way for Harry Brook in England's final 15
England captain Jos Buttler felt it was his responsibility to inform Jason Roy that he will not be part of the side's 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup in India. Buttler rang Roy last weekend to inform him that he would not be part of the World Cup before head coach Matthew Mott followed suit. Roy's exclusion has paved the way for Harry Brook to be included.
Roy, who finished with 443 runs at 63.28 at the 2019 World Cup, was part of the four-match series against New Zealand at home but could not take part in it due to back spasms. This is not the first time Buttler had to make the call. He also did the same before the T20 World Cup 2022, when he had to inform Roy he wouldn't be part of the team.
Also Read - Making sense of Roy's omission: fitness, Brook's versatility & more
"I don't think any time is easy. It's part of the job as captain that is not enjoyable, whether they're great friends or not, it's not a nice job to do," Buttler told PA news agency at a Castore event.
"I certainly feel like it's my responsibility to give that news. He's a really great mate of mine, so it was a really tough call to make."
While Roy will continue to be in the reserves during the World Cup, Buttler feels Brook's versatility to bat anywhere worked in his favour.
"Jason will be the top-order reserve, absolutely," Buttler said.
"Harry, we do feel, gives us versatility: he can cover Nos. 1 to 6 in the batting order, which is obviously something that's advantageous in a squad.
"But good players miss out, it's the very brutal nature of sport. There's plenty of people outside the 15 who will have felt that they were in with a really good chance of a spot.
"It's a bad headache to have but a good problem as a selection committee when you have a deep pool of players to choose from."
England begin their World Cup title defence against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5. They will take on India (September 30) and Bangladesh (October 2) in Guwahati in warm-up matches ahead of the mega event.