Cricket

Jason Roy, a pivotal member of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad, has secured a lifeline in the Hundred after being overlooked in the March draft. The Northern Superchargers, led by Andrew Flintoff, have signed Roy as a replacement player, offering him a chance to showcase his skills in the upcoming tournament.Roy's release from the Oval Invincibles, the defending Hundred champions, came after a disappointing season where he averaged a mere 17.11. Despite entering the draft with a £100,000 reserve price, none of the eight teams deemed his recent form worthy of a high salary.However, the Superchargers have recognized Roy's potential and have offered him a contract as a replacement for Brydon Carse, who is ineligible to play due to a recent betting ban. The details of Roy's contract remain undisclosed, as replacement players can negotiate salaries directly with teams within the overall salary cap.Roy's availability for the Superchargers' opening match is uncertain due to his commitments in Major League Cricket. He is scheduled to represent the Los Angeles Knight Riders, and the tournament's final coincides with the Superchargers' season opener.Flintoff, who is taking over as the Superchargers' coach this year, has been gradually involved in England's white-ball backroom staff. He is currently with the squad in Guyana ahead of their T20 World Cup semi-final.Roy's signing marks a significant addition to the Superchargers' squad. Despite a quiet start to the English season, he remains a dangerous batsman capable of turning matches on its head. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to challenge for the Hundred title.

Surrey and Gloucestershire played out a thrilling tie in their Vitality Blast encounter at the Kia Oval. Surrey, chasing 171, were on the verge of victory before David Payne's heroics in the final over.Gloucestershire openers Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft provided a solid start, posting 67 for the first wicket. Hammond's 25-ball 33 and Bancroft's 32 from 26 set the platform for a competitive total.However, Surrey's bowlers fought back, with Matt Taylor and Payne claiming three wickets apiece. Beau Webster's 31-ball 40, including two sixes, helped Gloucestershire reach 170 for 6.Surrey's reply got off to a shaky start as Dan Lawrence and Laurie Evans fell cheaply. Jason Roy and Ollie Pope then steadied the ship with a 96-run stand. Roy struck a 37-ball 55, while Pope contributed 48.With 81 required from eight overs, Payne returned to the attack and struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Pope and Roy. Marchant de Lange and Dom Sibley kept Surrey in the hunt, but Smith's dismissal in the 17th over left them needing 32 from four overs.Tom Curran's quickfire 18 brought Surrey to the brink of victory, but Payne's brilliance in the final over denied them. He yorked Curran with his first ball and had Sean Abbott caught in the deep off his third.With scores level and the field in, Payne fired in another yorker that Jordan Clark could only dig out back towards the bowler. Payne moved swiftly to his right and ran out Clark at the bowler's end, securing a dramatic tie for Gloucestershire.

Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), the most successful team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), have bolstered their squad for the 2024 season with the signings of Tim David and Jason Roy. The duo joins a core of experienced West Indies stars, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, and Dwayne Bravo.David, a powerful hitter, has previous CPL experience with St Lucia Kings and Knight Riders. Roy, an explosive opener, will make his CPL debut with TKR. The team has also retained Akeal Hosein, the first spinner to take a five-wicket haul for West Indies in T20Is.Other key players retained by TKR include seamers Jayden Seales and Terrance Hinds, batters Mark Deyal and Keacy Carty, and overseas players Josh Little, Ali Khan, and Waqar Salamkheil. The squad currently stands at 15 members, with two more spots available in the draft in July.Last year, TKR reached the CPL final but fell short against Guyana Amazon Warriors. They will be eager to reclaim the title they last won in 2020. Their 2024 campaign begins on September 1 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre.With a formidable squad featuring a blend of experience and firepower, TKR will be among the favorites to lift the CPL trophy once again.

Jason Roy, the explosive English opener, has opted out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to prioritize his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who joined KKR in 2023 as an injury replacement, had a successful stint with the franchise, scoring 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 151.59. However, he withdrew from this season's IPL at the start of March, citing personal reasons.Roy's decision to sit out the IPL stems from a challenging 18 months. After missing out on selection for England's T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup squad in 2023, he went undrafted for this year's Hundred. Last May, he terminated his ECB incremental contract to play in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC).The taxing schedule of the past few months, coupled with a desire to spend quality time with his family, led Roy to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. "Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision," Roy said. "I felt like I owed KKR a huge amount, but I had to put myself first, you know, just mindset and body."Roy's withdrawal is also informed by a period two years ago when he found himself "in a dark place," which resulted in him taking an indefinite break from the game and missing IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans. "I went through an extremely bad patch with my mindset," he said. "I was in a shocking headspace, and I ended up shooting myself in the foot."Since then, Roy has prioritized his mental health and has learned to listen to his body and mind. "It's nothing to do with anyone else," he said. "I've got a young family, I'm a grown man, and I've made the decision off the back of a lot of thoughts."Roy's decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a courageous step that will hopefully inspire others to seek help when they need it.

Kolkata Knight Riders Sign Phil Salt as Jason Roy's Replacement for IPL 2024With just weeks to go before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced the signing of Phil Salt as a replacement for Jason Roy. The move comes after Roy withdrew from the tournament at the last moment due to personal reasons.Roy, who was acquired by KKR for INR 1.50 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, explained his decision in a statement, stating that he needed to spend time with his family before embarking on another busy year of cricket."After much consideration, I have made the tough decision to miss this year's IPL. Having been away since the start of January, I need to get back to my family and have a refresh before a very busy year ahead. I will be supporting my friends and teammates at KKR throughout the tournament and wish them the best of luck," Roy said.In response to Roy's withdrawal, KKR swiftly moved to secure the services of Phil Salt, who had gone unsold in the IPL 2024 auction. Salt, an aggressive wicket-keeper batter from England, will be making his second appearance in the IPL after representing the Delhi Capitals last year.Salt's impressive performances in recent months, including two consecutive T20I centuries against the West Indies in December 2023, caught the attention of KKR management. His 48-ball century in the fourth T20I at Trinidad is also the joint-fastest for England.KKR's decision to sign Salt is a strategic move that aims to bolster their batting lineup. The English batter is known for his explosive hitting and ability to score runs quickly, which will be a valuable asset to the team.With the addition of Salt, KKR now have a well-rounded squad that includes a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. The team will be hoping to make a strong impact in the upcoming IPL season and challenge for the title.

Jason Roy Withdraws from IPL 2024 to Prioritize FamilyEngland opener Jason Roy has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to reunite with his family. The 33-year-old has been away from home since January and feels the need to take a break before a demanding year ahead.In a statement to his franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Roy expressed his regret at having to miss the tournament. "After much deliberation, I have made the tough decision to miss this year's IPL. Having been away since the start of January, I need to get back to my family and have a refresh before a very busy year ahead," he said.KKR acknowledged Roy's decision with understanding and support. "You'll be missed Jason. But we understand," the franchise tweeted.In Roy's absence, KKR has announced Phil Salt as his replacement for the forthcoming IPL season. The franchise boasts a strong squad with a mix of star overseas players and a solid Indian core, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and skipper Shreyas Iyer. KKR will be aiming to improve upon their seventh-place finish in the previous season.Roy's decision highlights the importance of family and mental well-being for athletes. While the IPL offers immense financial rewards and opportunities, it also requires players to spend extended periods away from their loved ones. Roy's choice to prioritize his family over the tournament is a reminder that there are more important things in life than cricket.

Kolkata Knight Riders Acquire Phil Salt as Jason Roy Replacement for IPL 2024Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have secured the services of English batter Phil Salt as a replacement for Jason Roy for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Roy withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons, leaving KKR with a void to fill in their batting lineup.Salt, who went unsold in the recent IPL auction, will join KKR at his reserve price of INR 1.5 crore (approximately $181,000). The 26-year-old had previously represented Delhi Capitals in the 2023 IPL season.Salt is a dynamic and aggressive batter known for his power-hitting abilities. He has impressed in various T20 leagues around the world, including the Vitality Blast in England and the Big Bash League in Australia.KKR's decision to sign Salt is a strategic move to bolster their batting lineup. The franchise has struggled in recent seasons, finishing near the bottom of the table in the last two editions of the IPL. Salt's addition is expected to provide KKR with a much-needed boost in the batting department.Salt will join a star-studded KKR squad that includes the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, and Pat Cummins. The franchise will be hoping that Salt can make a significant contribution and help them return to their former glory in the IPL.