Red-hot Roy making case for Test squad

Jason Roy further staked his claim for a Test place after coming through a dizzy spell to top score for England in their opening One-Day International win against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

The Surrey opener's latest cameo in 50-over cricket, scoring 65 from 56 balls during England's 44-run Duckworth-Lewis victory, took his ODI average this northern summer to 95 across six matches.

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When you compare his stats to those of Alex Hales in Tests, the Nottinghamshire opener averaging just 18 in the recent 2-2 series draw against Pakistan, there is a case for giving Roy a shot in the longer form of the game.

Hales is Test captain Alastair Cook's eighth opening partner since 2012 and his average of 27 in 11 matches since he debuted in South Africa last December raises questions over his long-term suitability for the role.

While Roy has made his name in first-class cricket for Surrey as a middle-order batsman, there is a school of thought that he might be able to make a decent fist of things at the top of the order in Tests if given the chance given his promising start to ODI cricket, with the South African-born batsman making three hundreds and three half-centuries in 25 matches.

England have tours of Bangladesh, subject to security clearance, and India before Christmas, seven Tests providing a tough task.

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Asked about his Test ambitions after this man-of-the-match performance in Southampton, Roy said: "I just enjoy my cricket, go out and bat and if I get a call, I get a call.

"I'd obviously take the opportunity to play if it came. It's a dream of mine to play Test cricket."

Roy, 26, certainly showed plenty of character during this latest innings, battling through a dizzy spell in the fourth over of England's chase that was brought on by his failure to take on enough sugar during a day on England's South Coast where temperatures hit an unseasonably high 30 degrees Celsius.

"It was a case of not having enough sugar on me apparently, that's it plain and simple," he said.

"I had a headache, felt a bit dizzy, they got the physio and the doctor on, they told me to get some sugar on board.

"I'll just remember in future on a hot day to be mindful of that. I was able to get my bearings, settle and re-set myself and just go again.

"It was really pleasing to get a score like that, and it was pleasing too that we could knock off the runs."

England were set 261 to win after a fine bowling performance which included a wicket for fast bowler Mark Wood in his first international game for 10 months.

Wood has had two operations on his problematic left ankle since last representing his country during the second Test against Pakistan at Dubai last October.

But he had Sharjeel Khan caught behind early on off a short ball which nudged 147kph.

Quick Single: Wood tipped to be one-day wonder

Wood seems to have picked up pace since his long lay-off, perhaps the confidence in the ankle on his landing foot allowing him to hit the deck harder.

Whatever the reason, Wood was hitting top speeds of 149kph in this match, making him among the quickest bowlers in international cricket.

Wood seems certain to be included on England's winter tours of the subcontinent.

And Roy may well be joining him if he continues this rich vein of form.