Jason Roy credits "a kick up the arse" on England's last visit to Lord's for giving them the boost they needed to reach the World Cup final in peak form.
England will step out at the most famous cricket ground in the world on Sunday as favourites to lift the trophy for the first time against a New Zealand side also looking to make history.
Things looked considerably different the last time they were in St John's Wood, pushed to the brink of a group-stage elimination by a 64-run loss to Australia.
Ready for the World Cup final! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/zXv0DZ8DVS — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 13, 2019
Jolted by that result England tapped into a do-or-die mentality – confidently beating both the Black Caps and India to seal their knockout place, then exacting revenge against their Ashes rivals with a resounding semi-final win at Edgbaston.
"We didn't get too down or upset but it was obviously a little kick up the arse," said Roy, whose brilliant form with the bat has underpinned the upturn in form.
"It gave us a good kick and pushed us to actually bring out the best in ourselves I think, and that stands us in good stead for the final.
"We're in a very good place with our cricket, and like we've shown in the last few games we're doing pretty well. Do the right things tomorrow from the start, and hopefully we'll get the benefits."
Roy was blameless for England's wobble, missing their back-to-back defeats with a torn hamstring. He has passed 50 in six of his seven innings, including a punishing 153 against Bangladesh, and his semi-final knock of 85 was on course to be his best yet until he was bafflingly given caught behind by Kumar Dharmasena.
Roy's furious reaction saw him disciplined and fined for breaching the ICC's disciplinary code and he faces an awkward reunion with the Sri Lankan official, who will stand alongside South Africa's Marais Erasmus at Lord's.
"It's professional sport, emotions run high," the 28-year-old explained.
"There was a lot of passion. The last few years have been a lot of hard work to get where I've got now. So to get out like that was slightly disappointing, and I probably showed it more than I should have. But you ride the wave and we're in the final now."
Roy's fearless approach and muscular style – he hit three consecutive sixes off Steve Smith at Edgbaston, one of which was the biggest ever struck in international at the ground – make him a natural poster boy for the team.
An elevated profile surely awaits if he can contribute to one more winning cause, but that wider celebrity is little more than window dressing to the task at hand.
Our first score of over 400 came against New Zealand in 2015! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/namQTx5PTY — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 13, 2019
"It doesn't matter what the outside noise is saying, the white noise as we call it. We've just got to go out and perform," he said.
"It's nothing to do with the status. We just want to win the World Cup for the nation and inspire the next generation."
Australia captain Aaron Finch generated some unintended amusement when he revealed he planned to prepare for the semi-final against England by watching animated children's movie The Queen's Corgi, and Roy has been warned off by his Surrey team-mate.
"Apparently that doesn't work. Finchy doesn't recommend that one," he said with a smile. "I'll just eat my porridge and crack on."
