Jason Roy: "Test cricket has been an ambition for years"

Trevor Bayliss described the Surrey batsman as “a definite option” as he discussed the makeup of England’s top order for their one-off game against Ireland and the five-match series against Australia

Jason Roy has admitted that he would jump at the chance to represent England in Test cricket after Trevor Bayliss hinted on Sunday that the white-ball opener could well be under discussion ahead of the Ashes.

Bayliss described the Surrey batsman as “a definite option” as he discussed the makeup of England’s top order for their one-off game against Ireland and the five-match series against Australia.

While Roy’s Surrey teammate Rory Burns is likely to retain his place for the start of the Test summer, having shown glimpses of his County Championship form in his first six England appearances, the makeup of the remainder of England’s top three is less certain.

Keaton Jennings, who began the tour of West Indies with Burns, struggled for runs in that series and has enjoyed a patchy domestic season thus far. Joe Denly, who made 69 in the final Test in St Lucia, remains somewhat unproven.

"There has been a bit of chat and you can't avoid it, but playing Test cricket and in the Ashes has been an ambition of mine for years," Roy told Sky Sports.

^{Roy has played a key part in England's World Cup campaign}

"Most of my batting in first-class cricket has been at four, five or six but I played at three twice last year so I'm happy wherever they want to put me."

Roy has a first-class batting average of 38.38, with nine centuries and 22 fifties in 81 games.

"I think I'm better off at the top of the order and then I can give it a go from there," he added. "I've played a lot of white-ball games for England so if I get a chance then that should hold me in good stead.

"Everyone knows what I'm about so if I get caught at fourth slip driving at a ball that maybe a 'traditional' Test cricketer wouldn't drive at, then people hopefully won't be too outraged by that."

Bayliss was fulsome in his praise of the 28-year-old when he spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek about his credentials, with England still seeking a solid opening combination following the retirement of Alastair Cook.

"Jason has had success at international cricket and that goes a long way to showing he is able to handle the pressure.

"The way he goes about his batting gives a lot of confidence to the rest of the batting line-up and certainly makes their job a hell of a lot easier."