Ashes: England reveal team for first Test as Jake Ball gets the nod as fourth seamer
JOE ROOT will hand Ashes debuts to four players in the first Test and tell them go out and “stamp their authority” on the series.
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The England captain confirmed Jake Ball takes the final seamer’s spot for the first Test at The Gabba alongside Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.
But the fast bowler takes his place in the XI alongside three other Ashes newbies in Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan.
Root has no doubt his rookies have what it takes and will tell them to have no fear and believe in their talents.
“They’ve got an opportunity now to stamp their authority on it – and what better stage than an Ashes series to do that.” said Root.
"And if we can go one up here what a way that would be to start the series."
England cricket team go paintballing ahead of Ashes
Tue, November 14, 2017The England cricket team have been enjoying themselves paintballing in Townsville ahead of the first Ashes test against Australia
The England cricket team tried their hand at paintballing in Townsville
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He added: “That would really upset the applecart and it could give us a lot of momentum going into the rest of it.”
Root will spring no surprises at the toss with his side having been widely trailed as his starting XI, but he is expected to announce that Moeen Ali will be promoted to bat No 6 with Jonny Bairstow dropping to seven.
Australia are expecting David Warner, who has had a stiff neck, to pass a fitness test in the morning despite Glenn Maxwell being called up as a possible replacement.
However they are also sweating on the fitness of their own No 6 Shaun Marsh who was yesterday struggling with a stiff back.
EPA
Root maintained there was a calm in the England dressing room and squad but admitted that nerves will play a part when the action gets closer tonight.
“We’ll probably get a good atmosphere within the ground, there might be a bit of noise from the crowd and stuff but I see us as absolutely ready to go.
“And while I'm sure there'll be a few nerves flying around underneath the surface, but as a whole there's a really calm atmosphere within the dressing-room.”
He added: “I think that's a really good place for us to be as a side.”
Australia: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon
England: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes
