Nottinghamshire fast bowler Jake Ball is relishing the prospect of pushing for an England shirt this winter, having been named in the one-day international squad for the forthcoming tour of Bangladesh.

The 25-year-old, who will join up with the England Lions in the UAE shortly after the one-day leg of the senior trip, has seen his stratospheric rise to stardom continue this summer.

Ball closed the Specsavers County Championship season with 49 wickets, in 11 matches, at an average of 23, as well as making his Test debut for England against Pakistan at Lord's.

After travelling with the Royal London One-Day International squad throughout the recent home series against Pakistan, the Welbeck paceman is desperate for a start in Bangladesh.

“I didn’t get an opportunity during the Pakistan series, but it’s about trying to impress in the nets,” he says.

“With a different captain in charge in Jos Buttler, it’s about impressing him as well, showing him what I can do.

“If I get the chance to play, it’s about taking it and trying to keep the shirt because there are plenty of people snapping at the heels of those in possession.”

Ball believes being around the squad for the majority of the 2016 summer, albeit making only one appearance, will come in handy upon arrival in Bangladesh, as it will allow him to cut out the niceties.

“I’ve been around the squad all summer and it will be nice to now go away and get the vibe for an overseas series,” he says.

“It will give me a period of time to knuckle down with the England coaches to develop my game and take it to the next level.

“With already being around the team all summer, I don’t need to develop relationships with the coaching staff. That’s already there. I know how the side is run.

“As soon as we land in Bangladesh we can crack on with the cricket.

“With me going for the white ball part of the trip, it’s about developing my changes of pace and cutters. In the sub-continent, those are the skills you need.”

Ball admits, meanwhile, that he’s already plotting how to help Nottinghamshire wrest back their place in the First Division following relegation.

He emphasises the hurt caused by the drop but insists his home county must now focus on bouncing back strongly in 2017.

“It hurts a tremendous amount,” he says, “it’s not nice to deal with, but we have to treat it as an opportunity to rebuild and Mooresy taking over can give us a fresh lease of life.

“Doing it in Division Two is not ideal, but also it could be a slight blessing in disguise if we can get back into the top league the following year and really hit the ground running.

“If you look at our side on paper, we’ve got one of the best teams in the championship.

“It’s been a frustrating season for a lot of our players, but hopefully that’s just a one-off.

“If we play to our abilities, there’s no reason why we can’t bounce straight back, as well as continuing our year in year out form with the white ball.”

 

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