Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell says Jake Ball is gunning to be selected for England's starting XI after being included in the senior international squad for the first time.
With James Anderson and Stuart Broad England’s long serving opening bowling pair, the final fast bowling slot in the unit looks to be a straight battle between Ball and Steven Finn.
As England meet at Headingley on Monday ahead of the first Sri Lanka Test on Thursday, Newell believes Ball has plenty of time to press his case for final selection.
“He is in the 12 and is there to play,” said Newell.
“He is in an environment where there is a lot of experience around and Jake is the sort of player who will thrive in that.
“England will have a good look at him in their preparations early next week and then it is up to the captain and coach to make the final decision.
“People could assume that he might not play because he is uncapped but we believe he deserves to be in the squad.
“A lot of people will think it has gone rather quickly but Jake has been working diligently through club cricket with Welbeck and then through our system at Nottinghamshire.
“He went through the Academy, second team and over the last 15 months has made huge strides, including a successful winter with the England A side.”
Ball first emerged on to the first team scene back in 2009 and was instrumental for the Outlaws in one-day cricket in his formative years.
However, establishing a regular place in the four day team didn’t come until 2015, causing Newell to descrive him as a ‘slow-burner’.
“It took him a number of years to really push through and he has been a slow-burner,” he said.
“The winter before this one he worked really hard in the gym to get stronger and people noticed he was bowling more quickly as a result.
“Add to that the fact that he is a very skilful bowler and the hard work he has put in has really paid off.
“He established himself in our side last year, was a number one pick across all three formats and he has kicked on from then.
“Being able to pick the brains of the likes of Stuart Broad, who has been around the Nottinghamshire squad over the past three or four weeks preparing for the Test series, has been a great opportunity for Jake.
“Now he will be able to do that with people like Jimmy Anderson and Ottis Gibson and Jake is a good learner, if he thinks something is going to work for him he takes it on board and uses it.
“He is also a very popular lad around our dressing room and I am sure that will continue with England.”
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