England v India: Jason Roy finger injury concern for deciding ODI

Jason Roy's injured fingerImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Roy has compiled 142 with Bairstow in the first two matches of the series

Final one-day international, England v India

Venue: Headingley Date: 17 July Start: 12:30 BST

Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

England opener Jason Roy has been given only a 30% chance of being fit for the deciding one-day international against India at Headingley on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Surrey batsman has shared successive half-century stands with Jonny Bairstow in the series.

But he suffered a finger injury on his right hand after dropping a fiercely struck drive from India's Suresh Raina during Saturday's 86-run win at Lord's.

Hampshire's James Vince had already been added to the squad on Sunday.

Kent's Sam Billings has now joined as additional cover, with the three-match one-day series level at 1-1.

England are already without Alex Hales, who has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a side injury.

Middlesex left-hander Dawid Malan was released to play for the England Lions in a four-day game against India A, which began on Monday.

South Africa-born limited overs specialist Roy made his ODI debut in 2015 and has scored six centuries and 12 fifties in his 65 appearances.

This summer, he made 112 runs in the three T20 internationals with India and has compiled 78 from the opening two ODIs.

England fast bowler Mark Wood insisted that Vince, who led Hampshire to victory in the One-Day Cup final at Lord's last month, would not weaken the side were he to replace Roy.

"When you look at Jason Roy the first thing you think is Alex Hales will come in, but he's obviously injured so again it proves the depth that we've got at the top of the order where James Vince, who was brilliant for Hampshire in the domestic competition, he can come in and sort of just fits in the team as another one of the lads.

"It's not like a new player as such… Vincey can hopefully go out and make a hundred," he added.

'I'm in awe every time I watch us play'

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live's Tuffers and Vaughan Show, England limited-overs bowler Liam Plunkett said the team will relish the experience of playing in a series decider before next summer's World Cup.

"We are treating it as a final," said 33-year-old Plunkett. "We want to beat them 2-1. There will be pressure on us so let's try and win and put a dent in their confidence.

"On our day we think we can beat them in England, we think we're the better team. You feel like if you can get through their top order, you can make dents in their lower order. It's just getting through the top order."

Plunkett, who is the oldest player in the team and made his one-day debut in 2005, added: "I'm in awe every time I watch the guys in our team play. The way they play their cricket, it's exciting and motivates me to get better.

"I feel I've learnt a lot in the last two years and know my game more.

"It's nice to be part of the bowling unit - we don't always get the credit but we'll let the batsmen take the glory. We think we're doing a pretty good job and if you take a two or three-for in the middle overs, you've done a good job."

England's victory on Saturday ensured they would retain their number one ranking regardless of Tuesday's result.

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