But Roy's return of 51 runs in eight ODI innings this summer has forced them to rethink their options at the top of the order.
Despite staunch backing from the team management, especially skipper Eoin Morgan, Roy has struggled to make any notable contribution in his three innings at the Champions Trophy so far, getting out for scores of 1,13 and 4 against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Jason Roy has enjoyed a wretched tournament thus far, and was restricted to a minor role at the team's training session on match eve, deep in conversation with coach Trevor Bayliss on the boundary line while Bairstow had a long hit in the nets. "I mentioned after the last game that we're getting to the business end of the tournament and we need to produce results, so it's important that we get what we feel is our best XI to win the tournament out tomorrow in order to win the game", Morgan was cited by espncricinfo as telling media persons.
The 27-year-old is an automatic first-choice in the Test set-up but has often had to wait for someone to be injured or rested to be included in the limited-overs sides.
Bairstow, meanwhile, has three half-centuries from his four ODI knocks in 2017.
"Jonny's qualities are that he's a fantastic batsman", Morgan said. "I think his best attribute, certainly in white-ball cricket over the a year ago and a half, has been his relentless attitude to scoring runs regardless of the situation". Guys on the sidelines can get a little bit upset, and that can affect their performance when the chance comes.
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Rory McIlroy finished his second round with a string of birdies, however, the world number two also missed the cut. Open, mainly because they couldn't keep it out of the thick fescue that frames the wide fairways at Erin Hills .
"I'd have no worries if he has to open the batting.If Jonny does get the opportunity, I'm sure he'll take it with both hands". So I think his all-round ability is as good as we have in the squad. I felt the key was to be as positive and as supportive as possible; make sure the player knew exactly what he has to do to get back into the team. Morgan insisted he would have "no worries" about Bairstow opening - something he has not done in worldwide cricket.
Pakistan may be the lowest-ranked team in the Champions Trophy given they are eighth in the world. "Hopefully we can put our best game together tomorrow, and then who knows?" England lost that match and Pakistan averted a 4-1 whitewash. I didn't think we performed well that day.
"I was particularly anxious that Roy hadn't fired yet because I think he's very close to something quite good", said Arthur. We've had plans for the last - since the last series that we played against them, last two series, home and away.
When you're not scoring runs, sometimes a period out of the side can be the best thing for you.
Either way England, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, will go into the game as favourites after winning 11 out of 12 ODIs and posting in excess of 300 in five of the past six matches in which they have batted first. Despite his poor run, he has quite rightly kept his place in the Twenty20 squad and I am sure he will find his form again. Because it is a used wicket, because it's an early start draws different factors.
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