Gary Ballance earns England recall; Anderson out of Lord's Test
England have recalled Gary Ballance for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's, while Toby Roland-Jones, Middlesex pacer, has earned a maiden call-up in the 12-member squad. Pacer James Anderson missed out after failing to recover from a shoulder injury that he had sustained during the third Test against Sri Lanka in the recently-concluded series.
Roland-Jones, the 28-year-old fast bowler who has picked up 30 wickets in the ongoing County season at an average of 29.07, could get a chance to show his worth at the iconic Lord's.
"With an injury to James Anderson, there is an opportunity for Toby Roland-Jones, who has been a consistent performer in the County Championship over the last few years and deserves his chance," James Whitaker, the national selector, said.
In the batting department, Ballance makes a comeback after nearly a year since he last played Test cricket, co-incidentally at the same venue. Ballance, who went out of favour after Ashes 2015, has gone back to the drawing board to work on his skills. His recent performances for Yorkshire - 78 against Durham in June and 132 against Middlesex last week - have been duly noticed.
"Gary Ballance is recalled to the Test squad for the first time since the winter series in South Africa and could play his first Test for England in 12 months. He has been in recent form with the bat for Yorkshire in the Championship. Gary is mentally strong and we feel that he will add quality and experience to England's middle-order," Whitaker said.
The Lord's Test begins on July 14.
Squad:
Gary Ballance earns England recall; Anderson out of Lord's Test | Cricbuzz.com
England have recalled Gary Ballance for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's, while Toby Roland-Jones, Middlesex pacer, has earned a maiden call-up in the 12-member squad. Pacer James Anderson missed out after failing to recover from a shoulder injury that he had sustained during the third Test against Sri Lanka in the recently-concluded series.
Roland-Jones, the 28-year-old fast bowler who has picked up 30 wickets in the ongoing County season at an average of 29.07, could get a chance to show his worth at the iconic Lord's.
"With an injury to James Anderson, there is an opportunity for Toby Roland-Jones, who has been a consistent performer in the County Championship over the last few years and deserves his chance," James Whitaker, the national selector, said.
In the batting department, Ballance makes a comeback after nearly a year since he last played Test cricket, co-incidentally at the same venue. Ballance, who went out of favour after Ashes 2015, has gone back to the drawing board to work on his skills. His recent performances for Yorkshire - 78 against Durham in June and 132 against Middlesex last week - have been duly noticed.
"Gary Ballance is recalled to the Test squad for the first time since the winter series in South Africa and could play his first Test for England in 12 months. He has been in recent form with the bat for Yorkshire in the Championship. Gary is mentally strong and we feel that he will add quality and experience to England's middle-order," Whitaker said.
The Lord's Test begins on July 14.
Squad:
- Alastair Cook (c),
- Alex Hales,
- Gary Ballance,
- Joe Root,
- James Vince,
- Jonny Bairstow (wk),
- Moeen Ali,
- Chris Woakes,
- Stuart Broad,
- Jake Ball,
- Steven Finn,
- Toby Roland-Jones
Gary Ballance earns England recall; Anderson out of Lord's Test | Cricbuzz.com
