England boosted by news of Jason Roy’s return for second Pakistan ODI

Opening batsman Jason
Roy, is expected to be fit for the second one-day international in Southampton
against Pakistan on Saturday.

The England opener missed the washed-out opening fixture at
the Oval after complaining of back spasms in mid-April.

With an average of 38.56 Roy’s availability provides stability to the squad after a series of injuries and controversy plagued with team.

All-rounder Moeen Ali, 31, who missed the first match with a
rib injury is set to return further boosting the squad.

Should Roy, 28, fail to start Hampshire’s James Vince, will again deputise on his home ground, the Ageas Bowl.

Vince’s inclusion came after the Alex Hales drug test debacle
which saw the England batsman dropped from the squad.

Vince, 28, has used his county form – averaging 71.67 in the Royal One-Day Cup competition this year – to alert selectors to his presence despite an international absence of a year. 

He told BBC Sport: “There has been some tough times.

“It’s
great to be playing for your country, but if things aren’t going well, there is
external stuff that you don’t have to deal with in county cricket – more
opinions and criticism.

“It’s something to learn from
and, now that I’m back, I can use those experiences in the past to try to be
better.”

Jofra Archer, 24, is again expected to start on the back on
a remarkable bowling display in the rained-off opening ODI.

JOTI KAUR