England Name Uncapped Duo In Test Squad

12 May 2016 | Cricket
England selectors have named uncapped players James Vince and Jake Ball in a 12-man squad to face Sri Lanka at Headingley starting on May 19.

Nottinghamshire seam bowler Ball and Hampshire batsman Vince have been included after impressing in county cricket this season.

Ball, 25, has started the Specsavers County Championship season in good form taking 19 wickets at an average of 21.15 and is joint leading wicket-taker in the First Division.

The Mansfield-born right-armer spent the winter with the England Lions in the UAE and at a fast bowling camp in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

The 25-year-old Vince, the Hampshire skipper, is in line to make his England Test debut adding to his one ODI cap and four IT20 caps. The right-hand top order batsman is averaging 44.50 in the County Championship this season including scoring an impressive 119 against Yorkshire at Headingley last month.

ECB National Selector, James Whitaker, said: “Both Jake Ball and James Vince thoroughly deserve their opportunity having performed well with the England Lions and starting the season in good form with their respective counties.

“Building on his success with the Lions in the winter, Jake has impressed with the ball and shown excellent control and skill in the opening matches of the County Championship. If selected, we are confident he will perform very well at international level.

“James has been a consistent performer for Hampshire and England Lions over the past few years. He is already well regarded by the England coaches in the short format and now has the opportunity to showcase his skills at Test level.

“Sri Lanka are a young side and we expect a strong series between the two teams to start the summer of international cricket.

“The selectors would like to take this opportunity to wish Alastair Cook, Trevor Bayliss and the rest of the squad the best of luck for the series.”

Test squad in full:

Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Nick Compton (Middlesex)

Steven Finn (Middlesex)

Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

James Vince (Hampshire)

England entertain Sri Lanka at The SSE SWALEC on July 2, before the visit of Pakistan to Cardiff on September 4. Tickets are available here.