SM
Greece vs. England: 1 hr 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Gary Ballance reveals Ashes selection shock

:Headline: Gary Ballance reveals Ashes selection shock: ID:106793: from db_amp
Gary Ballance says that he was not expecting to be called up to the England squad for the Ashes series in Australia later this year.

Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance has expressed his surprise at being selected in England's Ashes squad to face Australia later this year.

The 23-year-old, who is one of three uncapped Test players to be named in the party, only made his international debut earlier this month when he was bowled out for a duck against Ireland.

However, his impressive form for his county has seen him beat the likes of Ravi Bopara and James Taylor to a spot in the side, and Ballance is delighted to have got the call.

"I wasn't expecting it and I was surprised when I got the call. I am looking forward to it," Ballance told reporters. "It will be a great lifetime experience. It will be an honour to represent England at the highest level and it will be extra special in an Ashes Series.

"It will be a little daunting playing with some of the best players in the world but I know that I'll be made welcome. I've spoken to Joe [Root], Jonny [Bairstow] and Tim [Bresnan] about the England set-up and they speak highly of the dressing room. It is very much like a club environment where everyone works hard for each other with one common goal of winning. It will be a little daunting playing with some of the best players in the world but I know that I'll be made welcome.

"I expect it to be a demanding tour, with massive interest. The pitches will be quick and bouncy and there will be a lot of pressure on us to deliver. No doubt Australia will be stronger and they will want to respond after their series defeat in the summer. I'm not thinking too far in advance about breaking into the team. I will work hard on my game. Develop my skills in the nets and practice and see what comes of it. There is a lot of competition for places, which is very exciting."

Ballance scored 995 runs in 13 County Championship outings and over 600 more in limited-overs cricket for Yorkshire this summer.

amp_article__106793 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-09-25 09:04:22:
html db last update - 2013-09-25 09:04:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Gary Ballance

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about Gary Ballance Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .