Jason Roy must move down the order or be axed from Test side, says Geoffrey Boycott

The Surrey batsman managed just 38 runs in the first Ashes Test match at Edgbaston, and was heavily criticised for his second-innings dismissal as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series

Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott believes Jason Roy does not possess the credentials of a Test match opening batsman and must be moved further down the order or be axed from the side entirely.

The Surrey batsman managed just 38 runs in the first Ashes Test match at Edgbaston, which England went on to lose by 251 runs as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

The 29-year-old's second-innings dismissal drew particular criticism for its rashness after he came down the wicket to offspinner Nathan Lyon, but missed the ball completely and was consequently bowled.

That shot in particular has led Boycott to call for Roy to be removed as opener, questioning his temperament to remain at the crease for a sustained period of time.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Boycott said: "Jason Roy is the latest in a long list of openers tried since Andrew Strauss and if England do not move him down the order he will go the same way as the rest and be dropped.

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"In the second innings he played a brainless shot. He defended well, then suddenly jumped down the pitch to drive through the off side against the ball turning back at him and was bowled through the gate. I don't think he has the mindset to defend and stay in over a long period."

England captain Joe Root reiterated that fellow World Cup winner Roy must stick to his guns and ultimately attempt to reverse the pressure back on to the Australian bowlers, but it is that mentality that Boycott maintains is hindering him from establishing himself as a Test opener.

"It did not help England's batting cause when Graham Thorpe, the batting coach, said "play your normal game" because the normal game for Roy is to hit it, whack it and smack it. Thorpe is telling them to be positive, look to score runs.

"It is madness. In this situation of trying to save the match a quick fifty is not as good as staying in for three hours.

"I have seen enough of Roy as an opener to know that he has to bat down the order or not at all. That is where his stroke play has a chance of flourishing."

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