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Jos Buttler dreaded delivering another World Cup blow to Jason Roy but the England captain felt a sense of duty to be the one to tell his close friend of the news first-hand.<\/p>\n
Roy was named in England\u2019s provisional squad for the defence of their ODI crown in India, starting next month, but repeated back spasms put him on the shelf for four tune-up contests against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
In his absence, Dawid Malan sewed up an opening spot alongside Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook\u2019s ability to bat anywhere in the top six meant he squeezed into the final 15-man touring party, edging out Roy.<\/p>\n
Buttler anticipates Roy will instead take up the option of being on standby, slotting into the group again if injury strikes a top-order player.<\/p>\n
But that was no consolation to Buttler over the weekend when informing Roy he had not made the cut, having made an identical phone call 12 months ago when the opener\u2019s poor form led to him being axed from the squad ahead of England\u2019s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in Australia.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think any time is easy,\u201d Buttler told the PA news agency. \u201cIt\u2019s part of the job as captain that is not enjoyable, whether they\u2019re great friends or not, it\u2019s not a nice job to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly feel like it\u2019s my responsibility to give that news. He\u2019s a really great mate of mine so it was a really tough call to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cJason will be the top-order reserve, absolutely. Harry, we do feel gives us versatility \u2013 he can cover one to six in the batting order which is obviously something that\u2019s advantageous in a squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut good players miss out, it\u2019s the very brutal nature of sport. There\u2019s plenty of people outside the 15 who will have felt that they were in with a really good chance of a spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bad headache to have but a good problem as a selection committee when you have a deep pool of players to choose from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe Root is inked into England\u2019s first-choice XI and while he made just 39 runs in four innings against the Black Caps, the Yorkshireman has been added to the squad to face Ireland of his own volition.<\/p>\n
Featuring in three ODIs, the first on his home ground of Headingley on Wednesday, is an ideal chance to get back into form before England head for the subcontinent, having played in just 19 matches in the format since the 2019 World Cup final.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just shows his hunger to play,\u201d Buttler said. \u201cHe\u2019s someone who over the last four years because of the schedule probably hasn\u2019t played as much 50-over cricket as he would like.<\/p>\n
Good players miss out, it’s the very brutal nature of sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an experienced guy and he knows what he needs. He\u2019s arguably the best player in our team and he just knows what he needs to get ready. It was very simple for all involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buttler was speaking to promote England\u2019s official kit supplier Castore extending its \u2018summer of sport\u2019 campaign, which aims to highlight key occasions in the sporting calendar, including the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Buttler had the decisive moment in the final four years ago, whipping off the bails from Roy\u2019s throw before throwing his wicketkeeping gloves in the air in delirium at sealing England\u2019s nail-biting win.<\/p>\n
He auctioned off the shirt he was wearing on that July day against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s \u2013 fetching more than \u00a365,000 for charity \u2013 although he has kept a couple of mementos.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve still got the bat I used on that day and couple of wicketkeeping gloves that were actually returned to me having been flung around the ground after running around after the last ball,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look back at iconic shirts throughout the years \u2013 England in 2019 is a very iconic one.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAs sports fans those kinds of shirts are something you\u2019re desperate to have. Hopefully this World Cup is a shirt everyone remembers for the right reasons and wants in their wardrobe.\u201d<\/p>\n
:: Jos Buttler was speaking to promote Castore, the official kit suppliers of the England cricket team, investing in an extension to its national brand marketing campaign. For more information, visit https:\/\/castore.com<\/p>\n