Captain Joe Root has implored opening batsman Jason Roy to play his natural game during this week’s one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s in London.

Roy has earned graduation to the Test fold on the back of a superb stretch of form in limited-overs cricket, particularly during the 2019 World Cup.

‘Jason brings something different to our Test batting side, he’s a proven performer in international cricket and fully capable of making big contributions. I hope he doesn’t try to play differently, I hope he’ll go and be himself,’ said Root.

‘There were occasions in the World Cup when he had to trust his defence and he might have to draw that out a bit longer in Test cricket – but he can go and put the pressure back on the opposition, he’s one of the best in the world at that.’

England won the World Cup earlier this month, after beating New Zealand in the final at the same venue that will host the Test against Ireland. Root is eager to see the hosts transfer World Cup success to a solid performance in the longest format, especially prior to the Ashes series.

‘It is something we addressed as a squad. We knew that after such an emotional final, in particular, that it was important we got our heads round this week and what is to come,’ he added.

‘We addressed it very early at the weekend training camp and feel that off the back of that everyone is very aware of the challenges ahead of us. You have to look at it from a different way and say we couldn’t be better placed in many ways. There is a huge amount of confidence coming off the back of that.

‘That counts for a lot. It’s something we have to ride the wave of and capitalise on going on to what is a huge six Test matches. The message to the squad is to play with a huge amount of pride and passion. The intensity of this week will set the tone for the rest of the summer.’

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