LONDON, Sept 15, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Jason Roy was once again absent from

England's final one-day international against New Zealand at Lord's on
Friday, raising questions over his fitness for next month's World Cup.

The opening batter has missed all four games against the Black Caps with back
spasms and England must decide if they wish to gamble on his fitness for the
tournament in India.

The man most likely to benefit should 33-year-old Roy not be cleared for the
trip is Harry Brook, who came into the side for Ben Stokes and has another
chance to make his case.

Stokes was rested 48 hours after his record-breaking 182 at The Oval, a match
England won by 181 runs.

Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes are also sitting out for Brydon Carse
and David Willey.

Brook, who was left out of England's provisional World Cup squad, was a late
call-up for the series as "batting cover".

England captain Jos Buttler, whose side lead the four-match series 2-1, won
the toss and opted to bat first under sunny skies.

"Jason Roy is getting there but frustratingly he is not yet fit to play,"
said the skipper. "The other guys we wanted to rest and rotate ahead of
what's coming up.

"We lived out what we wanted to be in the last game, really positive and
aggressive. Different surface and different ground today, but the same
message."

World champions England and New Zealand will face each other in the first
match of the 50-over World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 5.