Ballance aims to showhe’s ready, willing and able

YORKSHIRE captain Gary Ballance hopes that he can still play a role in the Ashes.

Ballance, whose last Test for England came in the summer against South Africa, has not featured in any of the first three Tests but remains ready if the chance arises.

The 28-year-old said: “I still feel in a good place and will be ready to do well if called upon. It was good to get some cricket and a few runs on the board against the Cricket Australia XI.

“You want to get runs every time you go to the crease, but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen for me in the first innings when I got one. I was caught at gully off the seamer, and I would say it was more of a loose shot than a good ball.

“It was pretty frustrating, but it’s part and parcel of the game.

“Thankfully, I got 45 in the second innings as we tried to make a game of it and, in the end, it finished in a close-run draw.”

Despite not being in the side, Ballance relishes everything that goes with an Ashes tour.

He added: “We’ve had a lot of practice here on tour, both in the middle and in the nets, which are very similar to the match pitches. A lot of grounds, England included, the nets are in the middle.

“Over here, all the nets are outside at the back and are a pretty good replica.

“You can definitely feel the difference when balls are hitting the splice of the bat, but the wickets are good if you can get past the first 20 or 30 balls.”

Opener Alastair Cook has struggled this series but Ballance is confident the former captain will come good.

He added: “I’m confident he will be celebrating in style with big runs.

“It’s an amazing achievement (150 Test caps) and testament to how consistent he’s been down the years.

“I was fortunate enough to play when he was captain, and I thought he was a brilliant leader.