Gary Ballance confirms availability for England vs Pakistan, 1st Test at Lord’s

England batsman Gary Ballance has confirmed his availability for the first Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s amidst reports of his injury. Ballance is said to have had a minor groin injury, which made him miss Yorkshire’s NatWest T20 Blast match against Derbyshire on Sunday. Ballance was included in the England’s squad for the first Test after Nick Compton decided to take an indefinite break from cricket. Many former England cricketers have expressed their surprise at Ballance’s inclusion ahead of other heavy run-getters in the domestic circuit. Ballance himself says that he was surprised by the call. Other than Ballance, fasts bowler Toby Roland-Jones is also included in the side as a replacement for James Anderson, who will miss the first Test due to injury.  FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2016, 1st Test at Lord’s

“It was just a precaution with Yorkshire having so much cricket in the last few months,” Ballance told ESPNcricinfo as to why he missed the NatWest T20 match against Derbyshire. “I thought it best to rest it up with a Test coming up now. But I’m absolutely fine now, I’m ready to go.” READ: Gary Ballance admits axing from England during Ashes 2015 hit him very hard

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Ballance was dropped mid-way through the Ashes 2015 series and believes that his call-up for the upcoming series came sooner than he expected.  “It was great to get the call last week,” Ballance said. READ: Nasser Hussain: I would pick Jos Buttler over Gary Ballance for England’s 1st Test vs Pakistan

“I’m over the moon to be back in the squad and back here at Lord’s. I can’t wait to get started. I didn’t expect the phone call, it was a bit of a surprise, but the motivation was there and I was so happy to be back in the squad and get another opportunity. The last few weeks have gone well for me. I feel in good form and pretty confident that I can take that form into the first Test,” he added