Jake Ball pleased with England call up

25-year old Jake Ball received his call up to the England side for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Ball revealed that he “he nearly threw up’ on national selector James Whitaker when informed of his selection to the 12-man squad to take on Sri Lanka in the season opener in Leeds. The inclusion of Jake Ball comes following impressive stints for the England Lions as well as Nottinghamshire at the start of the County season.

“I had just had a chocolate tart from the Lord’s lunch which I nearly chucked up over James Whitaker,” Ball said, on Friday (May 13). “Words can’t describe the emotions I was going through. When I went back up to the dressing room all the lads knew what had been going on and everything went quiet when I walked in. But they were all delighted for me. It was a special moment.”

A slightly bemused Ball also revealed the feeling the first time he met England coach Trevor Bayliss.

“I met Trevor and bumped into him in a corridor in my Notts gear and shook his hand. I don’t think he quite knew who I was. I passed him, went up and got my England kit and he said: ‘It’s Jake, isn’t it?’

“It wasn’t how I planned it go, but we had a nice chat and he told me to carry on what I’m doing for Notts and see where it takes you. It was a bit of a surreal moment meeting the team. I’ve watched Jimmy [James] Anderson and Stuart Broad over a few years coming through the ranks at Notts and to be in the same squad as them, and for them to come over and say well done, that’s when it started to hit home that I’m in an England squad.”

“I didn’t mention the dismissal to him,” Ball said of his meeting with Root during the training session. “I didn’t want to dent his confidence before the coming series. It was nice to get him out and that’s when you start to realise where you are as a bowler. He is the same age as me and will end up being on of the best to ever play the game. I’m sure I’ll bring it up over the next few weeks.

“I feel my game is at a place where it has never been before and I’m really comfortable with the way I go about my game and how I prepare. I still have a way to go but in terms of confidence and what I could offer the team, I feel ready to go. There will be a few nerves flying about but when I get the first training session out of the way and learn the added things that come with playing for England, I think I will be able to slot in quite nicely.”

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