England international cricketer Jason Roy is set to cancel his ECB central contract to sign a lucrative two-year deal with US Major Cricket League outfit Los Angeles Knight Riders, according to a report by Daily Mail.
The report further reveals the financial details regarding Roy's deal with Los Angeles Knight Riders, reported to be worth £300,000 over two years.
Roy represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and his deal with LA Knight Riders follows the recent trend of players playing for the same franchise in different T20 cricket leagues around the world (Sunil Narine representing Kolkata Knight Riders and Trinbago Knight Riders, Dewald Brevis representing Mumbai Indians and MI Cape Town).
Due to Roy's current contract with the ECB (England Cricket Board), which runs through October, the institution has some control over his schedule.
If he goes through with the move, Roy would become the first England player to opt out of a national contract in order to pursue goals with T20 franchise.
Although the 32-year-old is still a part of England's international setup, he was omitted from the Three Lions' squad that played the 2022 T20 World Cup.
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Jason Roy's spot in the England team at risk?
With the 50-over World Cup set to take place later this year, Roy walking away from his ECB central contract could severely jeopardise his chances of making it to the England squad that will play the World Cup.
One of the protagonists of England during the Eoin Morgan captaincy era, Roy was part of the team that won the 2019 World Cup.
He was dropped last year due to a dip in form, but has since been recalled to the side recently featuring in series against Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh. His future in the shortest format with England, though, looks uncertain.
With England set to defend their World Cup crown later this year, it seems like a rather shocking move if indeed, it comes to fruition.
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What is the current situation between Jason Roy and ECB?
Over the past two weeks, Roy has spoken with the ECB. An announcement regarding his future is anticipated soon.
The ECB are reportedly only willing to provide Roy the No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed to participate in Major Cricket League if they cancel his incremental deal because Major League Cricket coincides with England's domestic tournaments, County Championship and T20 Blast.
Roy still aspires to play for England, but the security of the two-year contract offer from LA Knight Riders is a big part of his decision-making.
The ECB has assured Roy that his choice will have no bearing on England head coach Matthew Mott's plans for the World Cup or the upcoming round of central contracts, which are decided upon in October.
LATEST: Jason Roy issues clarification on social media
Following reports that Roy was cancelling his contract with ECB, the 32-year-old has posted a long message on social media providing a clarification about his future, revealing that he "will not and never will walk away from England."
Please read. pic.twitter.com/FrKWhUn1aM
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) May 25, 2023