Cook: England have perfect Ballance
ALASTAIR COOK says Gary Ballance was handed a surprise recall for next week’s first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s because he possesses the “hard edge” necessary to score runs in international cricket.
Ballance was yesterday named in a surprising 12-man squad for Lord’s that also contained Middlesex bowler Toby Roland-Jones but did not include either James Anderson or Ben Stokes, who were both deemed unfit by the selectors.
Yet the inclusion of Ballance, ahead of either Jos Buttler or Durham’s Scott Borthwick, was the biggest surprise. Even the player himself was caught on the hop. “I was just doing a bit of grocery shopping when I got the call,” said Ballance. “It’s all come as a bit of a surprise. Obviously it’s a great feeling to be back in the squad. I’ve had some time away, the chance to work on my game, and I feel like I’ve got back to where I want to be.”
The Yorkshire batsman did score his first century of the season this week against Middlesex at Scarborough. Yet he still only averages 33.64 in Championship cricket this season.
His return was understood to have been driven by James Whitaker, England’s national selector, who praised the 26-yearold’s qualities by saying: “Gary is mentally strong and we feel he will add quality and experience.”
Cook backed up that view by underlining his track record over 15 Tests that includes four centuries and an average of 47.76.
“Gary’s got a very good record in international cricket and he’s a very robust type of character,” said Cook. “He might have felt he was unlucky to get dropped at one stage. He’s on his way back because I think the selectors like what he can do at international level.”
Ballance will come back into the team at five next week, seeing James Vince promoted to four and Joe Root given the key role at three.
“I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Cook. “He [Root] didn’t need much convincing at all, he was really excited about doing it.”
Full squad: Cook (c), Hales, Root, Vince, Ballance, Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Ball, Roland-Jones