Published: May 17, 2016, 05:38 PM (IST)
Edited: May 17, 2016, 05:38 PM (IST)
Jake Ball was included in the England squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka beginning on Thursday. He may be part of the England playing XI as the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn making up the three seamers for England. Ball recalls the time when he met Trevor Bayliss in a Notts jersey and is sure that Bayliss did not know he was. Ball has picked up 23 wickets for Nottinghamshire this season. “I bumped into [Bayliss] in a corridor in my Notts gear and shook his hand, and I don’t think he quite knew who I was,” Ball said. READ: England announce squad for first Test against Sri Lanka, include uncapped James Vince, Jake Ball
“I passed him, went up and got my England kit and he said, ‘It’s Jake, isn’t it?’ “It wasn’t how I planned it to go but we then had a nice chat and he told me to carry on what I’m doing for Notts and see where it takes you. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it goes,” he added, according to cricket.com.au.
Ball does not expect to be a part of the XI, but he is happy to be in the mix. “I had just had a chocolate tart from the Lord’s lunch which I nearly chucked up over [national selector] James Whitaker,” Ball said. “Words can’t describe the emotions I was going through.
“When I went back up to the dressing room all the lads knew what had been going on and everything went quiet when I walked in. “But they were all delighted for me. It was a special moment,” added the fast bowler.
Ball says that he did not sledge Root in the recent game as he did not want to lower his confidence ahead of the Test series, but admits that he was happy to dismiss him. “It was nice to get him out and that’s when you start to realise where you are as a bowler. He is the same age as me and will end up being one of the best to ever play the game. I’m sure I’ll bring it up [the wicket] over the next few weeks.”
“I feel my game is at a place where it has never been before and I’m really comfortable with the way I go about my game and how I prepare. “I still have a way to go but in terms of confidence and what I could offer the team, I feel ready to go,” said Ball.
