Ashes will show if Roy is good for Tests: Lamb

"I think there is still a question mark on whether Roy can play Test match cricket." © Getty

England will hope that Jason Roy brings his white-ball form into the Tests when they face Australia in the Ashes opener at Birmingham from Thursday. Roy's credentials in the shorter formats of the game are unquestionable and the recently-concluded World Cup was proof of that - scoring 443 runs from 7 innings at an average of 63.29. However, Roy - on his Test debut - against an inexperienced Ireland attack made only 5 as an opener in the first innings before scoring 72 at No. 3 position in the second innings after make-shift opener Jack Leach and Rory Burns had battled past the new ball.

Former England skipper Allan Lamb feels Roy's technique will be tested against Australia. "I think there is still a question mark on whether Roy can play Test match cricket. The Ashes will be a big test for him and it will be interesting to see how he copes with batting for long periods of time against a quality attack," Lamb told TOI.

The 65-year-old, who played 79 Tests and 122 ODIs for England, believes Australia will benefit from the presence of former skipper Steve Waugh in the dressing room. "Steve is a world-class player who knows how to motivate people. The last time Australia won the Ashes in England was under his captaincy, and Langer has made a clever move by bringing him into the dressing room," said Lamb.

Lamb predicts Australia to be on top if the weather stays sunny. However, England - according to him - will have an upper-hand if it rains or the conditions are overcast. "A dry and sunny weather means that Australia will be able to reverse-swing the ball and someone like James Pattinson bowling with pace could be trouble for England. Rains and overcast conditions could bring in the swing factor and Anderson & Co. will fancy their chances," he said.

There is a feel-good factor in England thanks to the team's triumphant World Cup campaign. Will it give them the necessary confidence going to the Ashes? "While it was a big relief to see England win the World Cup, one shouldn't compare the two formats. The Test against Ireland was a wake-up call. England will have their focus firmly on the Ashes and not on anything else," Lamb said.