Jason Roy has said he wants to keep playing for England for “many more years.”
Jason Roy and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have come forward to clarify the current situation following rumors that Roy plans to end his incremental contract with the ECB in order to accept lucrative offers to play in the inaugural season of the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States of America. Roy has said that he wants to play for England for “many more years,” and that the ECB has been “clear and supportive” in allowing him to play in the MLC.
After “unwanted speculation” surfaced over whether or not Roy was leaving England, he tweeted, “I wanted to clarify that I am not and will never ‘walk away from England.'”
As a professional cricketer, I will always look back on my time spent representing my country with the most pride. My number one goal is to keep playing for England for as long as possible.
The ECB has been very open and encouraging about my plans to play in Major League Cricket. The ECB allowed me to participate in the tournament on the condition that they would not be obligated to pay me for the remaining months of the contract.
“As a single-format player without a central contract, I wanted to take advantage of the fact that there are no upcoming schedule conflicts with England in order to participate in this competition. As an England player, I know I can only improve by getting as much game time as I can.
To be quite clear, as the next World Cup in cricket is England’s top priority. To be given the opportunity to represent my country in a game is the highest honor a player can receive.
Take the time to read the following. pic.twitter.com/FrKWhUn1aM
A tweet from: “@JasonRoy20” on May 25, 2023
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also shared this vision, saying, “England men’s white-ball hitter Jason Roy has notified the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that he desires to take up an agreement with Major League Cricket in the USA later this summer. The ECB has given their blessing for him to participate in the tournament provided he forgoes the remainder of his ECB incremental contract.
The ECB would like to make it clear that Jason’s continued eligibility to play for England teams is not affected by this decision. We know Jason is fully dedicated to the England cricket team.
This year’s MLC will begin on July 13 in Texas’ Grand Prairie Stadium and last through July 30.
