Opening batsman Jason Roy has joined a long line of South African-born Test cricketers with his debut in the longest format of the international game against Ireland at Lord’s on Wednesday.

Roy was born in Durban and moved to England as a 10-year-old. He still has remnants of a South African accent, similar to former KwaZulu-Natal cricketer and England captain Kevin Pietersen.

The right-handed Roy fell for just five, as the Irish made a successful start to the one-off Test in London. The 29-year-old effectively graduated to the Test fold on the back of a superb stretch of form in limited-overs cricket, especially during England’s triumphant campaign at the 2019 World Cup.

Other South African-born England Test cricketers include Tom Curran, Keaton Jenning, Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Matt Prior, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss, Allan Lamb, Robin Smith.

Several other players of South African origin have played ODI or T20I cricket for England, including Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker, Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb.

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Ben Stokes has withdrawn his candidacy for the New Zealander of the Year award.

The Christchurch-born Stokes was nominated for the accolade earlier this month, after starring in England’s World Cup final victory over his country of birth at Lord’s in London.

‘I am flattered to be nominated for New Zealander of the Year,’ said Stokes.

‘I am proud of my New Zealand and Maori heritage but it would not sit right with me to be nominated for this prestigious award.

‘There are people who deserve this recognition more and have done a lot more for the country of New Zealand. I have helped England lift a World Cup and my life is firmly established in the UK – it has been since I was 12 years old.’

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