World T20 2021 | Jason Roy underlines impact of Stokes, Archer's absence

England opener Jason Roy has called the absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer—key architects of England’s triumph in the last ICC ODI World Cup in 2019 a matter of “shame”. He lamented that their absence would leave England without two of their best match-winners but expressed hope on their return to full fitness and well being.

"I wouldn't say it's a problem -- it's a shame. It's definitely a shame, not having those two here but you know they're on the same path of getting fit and healthy again," Roy said during a virtual interaction.

Ben Stokes is on an indefinite leave from Cricket having gone through two rounds of surgery on the finger he had injured during the first phase of the Indian Premier League while Jofra Archer is recovering from a recurrent elbow injury.

However, he did not downplay England’s chance in the ongoing world cup and said that the players who are in the squad are more than capable of putting strong performances to lift the side.

"You look at our depth of the squad now, the players we have, and it's still extremely impressive. The boys showed that they have done well in the warm up game, and they've been training extremely hard, so I don't think it's a worry at all. We've got players that will definitely 100 per cent step up, rise to the occasion. They have more than enough skill. I can tell you that from training, There's more than enough skill that can take us all the way,” Roy added.

England will start their campaign against West Indies on October 23.