England opener Jason Roy has been reprimanded with a two-match suspension and a hefty fine of 2,500 pounds after accepting to have behaved in a prejudicial manner in an act that may have brought the game into disrepute.
England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the news on March 22, stating Roy has been banned for England’s next two matches, a call which would interestingly be suspended for 12 months depending on good behaviour. The player must also pay off his fine to the ECB by March 31.
In a media release issued on its site, ECB said its disciplinary panel found Roy in breach of directive 3.3 of its rule book and came up with the two important sanctions that the panel found fit as a penalty for the act. However, what remains under cloud are the details of the incident that has led to these sanctions. The only thing known to cricket fans, for now, is that Roy’s act might have brought the game into disrepute.
“A Disciplinary Panel of the Cricket Discipline Commission has announced its sanction on Jason Roy after he admitted a charge of conducting himself in a manner which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket, the ECB and himself into disrepute, in breach of ECB Directive 3.3,”
“Following a full disciplinary hearing at which all available evidence was heard, the Disciplinary Panel ruled that Mr Roy should: (i) be suspended from the next two England matches for which he is eligible for selection, but that such suspension be suspended for 12 months dependent on good behaviour; and (ii) pay a fine of £2,500 by March 31 2022,”
the ECB said.
Roy’s sanctions came to light only a few days after his decision to skip the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League despite getting a winning bid of INR 2 crores from new entrants Gujarat Titans at the mega auction in Bangalore last month.
The 31-year-old announced the news on his official Twitter handle, saying he has to make this decision with a “heavy heart” after lengthy considerations around his mental health.
The right-hander felt wary of bubble fatigue that might have compiled over the next two months staying with the Titans’ camp and with a young family around, Roy decided to give them time and keep himself fresh for the upcoming home international season.
“After more than two years living under Covid restrictions and in a number of bubbles, I feel now is the right time to be with my wife and young children,”
he had stated.
Roy said shifting constant bubbles amidst an excessively busy cricket calendar over the last three years has taken its toll on him.
IPL 2022. pic.twitter.com/fZ0LofBgSE
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) March 1, 2022
It isn’t known whether the breach that fell under ECB’s scanner took place before Roy’s call to quit IPL 2022 or in the days after his announcement.
The Surrey cricketer was last seen in action during the five-match T20I series in the Caribbean against the West Indies in January. A limited-overs specialist, Roy is now set to go through an elongated break from on-field action before he resumes national duties with England’s international summer.
Roy is next expected to be involved in playing duties via June’s short three-match ODI series in the Netherlands, which is part of the ICC Super League that determines direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India. England will host India and South Africa for three T20Is and three ODIs apiece in the white-ball section of their home season for 2022.
