The Nottinghamshire trio of Jake Ball (pictured), Stuart Broad and Alex Hales have once again been selected by England ahead of the First Investec Test against Pakistan, which gets underway at Lord’s on Thursday 14 July.
Hales, who averaged 58.4 at the top of the order, and Broad, who took 12 wickets at 24.58, each played starring roles in the host nation’s 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the summer.
Ball retains his place in the squad for a fourth successive fixture having missed out on the starting 11 in each of the previous matches.
“Building on the success of the Test series win against Sri Lanka last month, we have maintained our objective of retaining a balanced squad,” said England National Selector James Whitaker.
“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.
“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.
“Pakistan will give us a stiff challenge during this series and we can expect some fantastic cricket from both sides over the next couple of months.
“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."
England squad to face Pakistan at Lord's (from): Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Toby Roland-Jones, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
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