Yorkshire star Gary Ballance admits he is shocked by his England Test recall against Pakistan after year as an international outcast
Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler both ignored as Alastair Cook's men launch second summer series with new-look batting line-up
GARY BALLANCE admits even he was shocked by his England recall.
The Yorkshire left-hander will start next week’s First Test against Pakistan at No 5 in a new-look batting order.
And with Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler both ignored, Ballance said: “It’s all come as a bit of a surprise.
“I was just doing a bit of grocery shopping when I got the call from James Whitaker (national selector).
“Obviously, it’s a great feeling to be back in the squad. It was this time last year when I was left out and it does feel like a long time ago.”
“I’ve had some time away, the chance to work on my game, and I feel I’ve got back to where I want to be.”
County pal Joe Root has been promoted to three in the order, while Notts seamer Jake Ball is set for his Test debut as James Anderson has not fully recovered from his shoulder problem.
The changes give a new and slightly unsettled feel to England’s team as they face disgraced fast bowler Mohammad Amir at Lord’s.
Ballance, 26, was dropped after reaching 30 just once in ten Test innings and being bowled five times.
There is little sign he has altered his leaden-footed technique since — yet he still averages 47 in his 15 Tests and has a first-class career figure above 50.
His innings of 132 against Middlesex this week clinched his selection.
Skipper Alastair Cook said: “Gary has a very good international record and he’s a robust type of character.
"He might have felt unlucky to be dropped, but he’s on his way back and the selectors like what he can do at international level.
“Gary has that hard edge of a cricketer who has scored international runs and we need that in our top order.”
All-rounder Stokes will return when he is fit to bowl but Buttler now looks unlikely to play Tests this summer despite his scintillating limited-overs form.
Toby Roland-Jones of Middlesex is in a senior squad for the first time.
He is unlikely to play but, if he did, the seamer would be the first double-barrelled cricketer to play for England since Mandy Mitchell-Innes in 1935.