Roy happy to be back in England action with century

The opening batsman set up a comfortable warm-up win ahead of the one-day series against South Africa.

Jason Roy

Jason Roy revealed he was “pretty giddy” at the prospect of representing England again after his century underpinned their 77-run win over a South Africa Invitational XI in Paarl.

This was a more low-key encounter than England’s last 50-over match, when they defeated New Zealand in the World Cup final in a gut-churning thriller at Lord’s last July, with Roy making a decisive contribution.

It was Roy’s throw from the deep that led to the run-out which sealed England’s historic triumph after a super over, and he admitted adjusting his mindset from that day to a more modest outing at Boland Park was challenging.

Jos Buttler, right, runs out Martin Guptill from Jason Roy’s throw to clinch the World Cup (Nick Potts/PA)

Nevertheless he was the standout performer in the first of England’s two warm-ups before the one-day international series against South Africa starts next week, contributing 104 from 99 balls.

England had lurched to 16 for three – with Joe Root out for a golden duck and Eoin Morgan also dismissed for nought – but Roy’s contribution ushered the tourists to 240 all out, with their hosts restricted to 163.

Roy was therefore pleased with his efforts in his first England game since being axed from the Test side last September as he set his sights on starting the journey towards the next 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.

Roy said: “It was nice to get the shirt back on. I was pretty giddy getting on the plane back home to come out here. Obviously I haven’t represented England for a while now so it’s quite nice to get going.