England team management confirmed Roy would miss at least two games this week against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka after scans showed a muscle tear in his left hamstring. Morgan said his back problem had settled down and he expected to be okay to play.
Questions at the pre-match news conferences centred on Roy, and which players are in contention to replace the destructive opening batsman if he doesn't recover in time for important games next week against defending champions Australia and 2011 champions India. James Vince was recalled to the XI to open with Jonny Bairstow against Afghanistan at Old Trafford overnight, with Joe Root reverting to No3 despite scoring an unbeaten century when he opened against West Indies.
That's this week's solution. But what happens if Roy has to be cut from the 15-man squad?
Hales was the established opener before he was suspended initially for his part in a street brawl also involving England teammate Ben Stokes in September 2017.
Roy and Bairstow forged a winning combination, relegating Hales to a back-up role.
After the second disciplinary suspension last month, he was cut entirely from the squad, leaving him "devastated".
Now, he may be needed again.
- AP