Hamstring concerns set to test England’s bowling depth ahead of T20 tri-series
England have called up Jake Ball to their squad for the Twenty20 tri-series with Australia and New Zealand, amid fitness concerns for Chris Jordan and Liam Plunkett.
Both Jordan and Plunkett are battling with hamstring injuries ahead of England’s first game against Australia in Hobart next Wednesday and are expected to miss Friday’s warm-up against Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval.
Alex Hales will also miss that match with a hand injury but an England and Wales Cricket Board statement read: “All three players will hope to be fit for the first IT20 in Hobart.”
Ball is yet to play an international T20, but has taken 61 wickets at 24.26 in 52 appearances in the format and is a regular for Eoin Morgan’s ODI side, with 17 caps.
After the series-opener, England will take on Australia in Melbourne before travelling to New Zealand for two games against the Black Caps. The final will be held at Eden Park on February 21.