England face Ball blow as injuries deplete pace attack

Jake Ball has joined England’s growing list of injured fast bowlers as they prepare for the first Test against South Africa next week.

Ball had a scan on his right knee yesterday after sustaining an injury while bowling for Nottinghamshire against Kent at Trent Bridge 24 hours earlier and is likely to learn today if he will be fit for the first Test at Lord’s. He is a major doubt for the Royal London Cup final against Surrey on Saturday.

Ball joins Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes on the injury list for the first Test. Ben Stokes is also managing a knee injury. James Anderson is two games into a comeback from a groin injury.

Broad will bowl in the nets at Lord’s again today as he tests out a foot injury in an attempt to be fit for Notts for the Royal London Cup final. If he misses the game, England will have a big decision over their senior fast bowler. Toby Rolandjones, of Middlesex, could be in line for a call-up as cover.

Mark Wood is fit and bowling well but his lengthy injury record means England will have to manage his workload for the rest of the summer. Woakes returned to the nets at Edgbaston this week after suffering a side injury in England’s opening Champions Trophy match but is still a way off bowling properly once more.

In his absence, Anderson, Wood and Broad are expected to be England’s first-choice seamers next week but, if fit, Ball would have been in contention to play as England consider an extra seamer.