The Ashes 2017-18: Jake Ball has great chance to play opening Test at Brisbane, says Paul Farbrace
Ashes 2017-18: Ball has great chance to play opening Test, says Farbrace
It was just a week back when England pacer Jake Ball had twisted his ankle during warm-up tie against Cricket Australia XI. With Ben Stokes unavailable due to street-brawl case and ruled-out Steven Finn, England are in further trouble with Ball getting injured. However, England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace is confident of Ball getting fit on time to play the opening Test of 2017-18 Ashes against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. Farbrace said that Ball had good time at the nets where he bowled 15 overs on Friday. This puts him in good contention of making it to the playing XI on Thursday. The Ashes 2017-18: Australia look confused, feels Shane Warne
On Ball’s chances of playing the opening Test
“We wanted Ball to get some time in the field. If he’s going to be available to play next week, he has to spend some time on the field. So we told the umpires Alastair Cook has an upset stomach – and he does have a slightly upset stomach – so Ball can get on the field. He bowled in the nets today and he will bowl 15 overs in the nets tomorrow. He therefore gives himself a great chance to play next week. He is absolutely, definitely in the mix for the first Test. We’ve no doubts about him,” said Farbrace, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. Malan’s century keeps England ahead of CA XI
On Craig Overton’s dismissal
“It was a pretty awful dismissal. It was a short ball he should have hit over the trees. But he’s turned it into short leg’s box. Not ideal. You can’t say he’s out of form as he’s only faced 13 balls in three innings. But he’s here for his bowling – which has been outstanding – and any runs he contributes is a bonus.”
On England’s performance in the warm-up tie on Friday
“It was a bit of a mixed day. We’ve had two really good days but today we’ve slipped a fraction from the standards we would have expected. We got ourselves in a good position in the game but in terms of going into next week we have not quite been as good as we could have been. There were one or two soft dismissals. The lads have worked hard – they’re not machines; they make mistakes – so perhaps it’s a good timely reminder that we have to be on our game all the time. It’s quite a good reminder with the Test starting next week that we’ve got to be fully focused every day and every session.”