Struggling Roy left out of T20 WC

Jason Roy has been left out of England’s Twenty20 World Cup squad as the opener paid for his run of poor form.

Roy had a series of low scores for England throughout the summer and endured a miserable time in The Hundred, averaging 8.5 over six innings for Oval Invincibles and making three ducks.

The 32-year-old had previously been an integral part of England’s white-ball sides.

“It’s unfortunate timing, he’s hit a bad patch of form at the worst time,” England director of cricket Rob Key said.

“The game is about confidence as much as anything else. We’d be taking a gamble on him finding form. 

“He was obviously very disappointed, I think ‘gutted’ was the phrase he used. He wanted to make sure this wasn’t the end.”

Lancashire’s Phil Salt and Yorkshire’s Harry Brook were included in a 15-strong squad for the tournament in Australia, which takes place in October.

Key, who chaired selection, revealed Jonny Bairstow would move up to open alongside England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, allowing all-rounder Ben Stokes to jump to number four.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have been included despite last featuring during the Test tour of the West Indies in March, with both fast bowlers having completed long recoveries from injury.

That pair’s presence edges out Richard Gleeson, who is one of three travelling reserves alongside Tymal Mills and Liam Dawson.