Nottinghamshire bowler Jake Ball insists he is ‘fully fit’ for England’s first Ashes Test against Australia at the Gabba, which starts on Thursday.

The 26-year-old seamer damaged ankle ligaments in his delivery stride during a warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide.

And although he missed the team’s final warm-up game, he has since returned to bowling in the nets and says he is ready to play against the Aussies, if selected.

He and fellow seamer Craig Overton are vying for a pace in England’s seam attack alongside Jimmy Anderson, fellow Notts bowler Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.

“I feel like I have had enough bowling so hopefully come the first day then I am ready to go,” said Ball.

“The medical staff have been amazing and have sorted me out and I am back fully fit now.”

“I had my eyes closed for a split second when I went over my ankle. It did hurt at the time, but I managed to get a bit of movement while I was out there and walking off I didn’t seem too bad.

“As soon as I got the results back from the scan it was all positive and really good. The medical staff have been amazing and have sorted me out and I am back fully fit now.

“I am really confident in what I am doing at the minute and I think that is what made the injury all the more frustrating in the fact that I was bowling really well. To pick up that niggle was a little setback, but since I have been back I feel it has been coming out nicely.”

Ball has so far made three Test appearances, taking two wickets, and also played in 16 one-day internationals.

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