ROY IN IRISH STEW

England career looks to be over for Surrey star as he refuses to play in Ireland clashes after World Cup axe

- DEAN WILSON

JASON ROY has moved a closer step to international retirement after rejecting the chance to play in the ODI series against Ireland.

It was perhaps an understandable call for the 33-year-old to make with the wound from his World Cup axe still raw and exposed, and it has given Tom KohlerCadmore a chance to be called up.

As one of the architects of England's rise to the top of the world in white ball cricket, Roy's removal from the squad to go to India felt like the end of another part of the most glorious of eras.

He had already become surplus to requirements in the T20 side who would go on to become world champions in Australia last winter, and with a series of back spasms making him an injury concern, the 50-over side have moved on too.