England get Morgan boost but Roy to miss at least two games

MANCHESTER: England opener Jason Roy will miss at least two World Cup games due to a hamstring injury but captain Eoin Morgan is bullish about overcoming a back spasm and playing against Afghanistan. Roy suffered a hamstring tear in Friday’s win over West Indies and Morgan confirmed James Vince, who had a lengthy net session at Old Trafford on Monday, will replace the opener. “I certainly believe Jason will play again in this tournament,” Morgan said. — Agencies 

Eng vs Afg in World Cup

Matches 1

England won 1

Afghanistan won 0

Form guide

England: WWLWW

Afghanistan: LLLLW

(L=lost W=won; Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Pitch and conditions

Dry and helpful for spinners. Overcast start and the potential for showers 

131  Wickets for England leg-spinner Adil Rashid from 87 games since the 2015 World Cup. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (128 at 15.86) has an average almost half that of his counterpart

60  Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan’s average against off-spinners in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. Their strike rate is over 90 against off-break bowlers 

40  Afghanistan batsmen are yet to play out 40-plus overs in any of their games