Ballance ‘surprised’ by Ashes call-up

LONDON — Yorkshire’s Zimbabwean-born batsman Gary Ballance says he’d been taken aback by his inclusion in England’s squad for the forthcoming Ashes tour of Australia but insisted he was prepared for the challenge ahead.

The 23-year-old was one of three players, along with former Ireland paceman Boyd Rankin and Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, yet to make their test debuts who were included in England’s 17-man squad announced Monday.

Ballance, whose lone full England appearance saw him out for a duck in a one-day international against Ireland in Dublin earlier this month, edged out the likes of James Taylor for a position as cover for the middle order on the back of consistent performances for both his county and the second-string England Lions.

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