Ball scraps to keep his England role

Jake Ball will fight for “undroppable” status in the England ranks as next year’s World Cup comes squarely into view.

The Notts seamer (pictured) will be on home ground when England face India at Trent Bridge tomorrow (12.30pm), in the first of three one-day internationals.

Ball has forced his way back into England’s shortformat reckoning and will strive to give the selectors no option but to keep him in the ranks, while holding out hope for a Test team return too.

The 27year-old said of next year’s World Cup: “It is getting close.

“When you get your opportunity you have to take it. I got one game in the Australia series and felt like I came in and did well on a decent pitch at Old Trafford.

“I have to show what I can offer the team. That’s all I can do, put my name forward and try to make myself undroppable. That’s the only way to keep your place.”

England blasted a world record 50-over score of 4816 in a 242-run victory over Australia at Trent Bridge last month, and Ball expects his home wicket to continue to favour the men at the crease on Thursday.

“As a bowling unit at Notts, we talk about not letting an over get away from you,” said Ball.

“You know there will be boundaries, you know that when the infield is beaten it will be four with short boundaries and a rapid outfield. But if you go for a boundary or two early, it’s about not letting an over slipping away.

“If you can manage things over the course of an innings it makes a big difference and keeps the score down.

“That’s worked well for us in T20 cricket, and it’s a batter’s paradise in 50 over cricket too.

“It is tricky there. It’s about trusting your plan at the top of your mark.

“You can’t decide in your run up, you have to be 100 per cent committed to your ball, or you’ll travel to the boundary if you’re slightly off in line or length.”