'Mentally strong' Ballance earns England recall

Zimbabwe born Ballance, 26, received his last cap for England at the same ground, in the 2nd Investec Ashes Test last July where he scored 23 and 13 whilst batting at three.

He replaces outgoing number three Nick Compton who has decided to take a break from the game after two dismal series personally both in South Africa last winter and against Sri Lanka this summer. However, a return to number three is unlikely for Ballance as Yorkshire team-mate Joe Root is expected to be pushed up the order.

With Compton suffering in a similar fashion to Jonathan Trott, national selector James Whitaker has praised Ballance for his mental strenth; “Gary Ballance is recalled to the Test squad for the first time since the winter series in South Africa and could play his first Test for England in 12 months. Gary is mentally strong and we feel that he will add quality and experience to England’s middle-order.”

The decision to recall Ballance comes as a surprise to many, with Durham’s Scott Borthwick expected to get the call. Borthwick has hit 585 County Championship runs at an average of 58.5 whilst Ballance has hit 471 at 33.64. However, the left-handed Ballance has found form in the last month, scoring 78 against Durham and then 132 at Scarborough on Monday, in Yorskhire’s crushing innings defeat to Middlesex.

The news may come as a blow to Yorskhire’s title hopes as they will now be tasked with regaining the County Championship Division One for a third consecutive season, without their three main batsmen Ballance, Root and Jonny Bairstow. Though Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid and David Willey are all returning from limited overs duty with England.

There is one more change in the squad, with the uncapped Toby Roland-Jones replacing the injured James Anderson in the bowling attack. The Middlesex pace bowler, who hit 79 not out against Yorskire this week, has taken 30 County Championship wickets at an average of 29.07 and will compete with Jake Ball for the final place in the team, as they both aim to earn their maiden test cap.

Ben Stokes has returned to action for Durham recently after knee surgery, however he is still not fit to bowl whilst Jos Buttler just misses out on a Test recall. The wicket-kepeer has been in fine form with the bat for England in limited overs cricket, however Trevor Bayliss has decided against using him a specialist batsman in the opening test.

England squad to face Pakistan in the first Test: Cook (C), Hales, Root, Vince, Ballance, Bairstow, (WK), Mooen, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Ball, Roland-Jones.