Tuesday 17 May 2016 11:14, UK
The Nottinghamshire paceman becomes England's fourth seam option, joining James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in the 12-man squad. But who is he and how did he force his way in Trevor Bayliss' thoughts? Here's what you need to know…
Age: 25
Born: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Twitter: @JakeBall30
Loves: Golf & Everton
Why is he in the squad?
Ball has been in fantastic form for Nottinghamshire in the early part of the season, taking 23 wickets at 19.04 in five first-class games this season. Most notable perhaps was his performance against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge, live on Sky Sports. The 25-year-old bowled with real pace and took seven wickets in the match, including the prize scalps of Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow.
Is he just a flash in the pan?
In a word: no. Ball is still in the early stages of his career and after a broken foot disrupted his 2014 it was only last year that he really got a run in the Notts four-day side, having impressed in white-ball cricket since his debut in 2009. He certainly took his chance, taking 39 County Championship wickets with a first class average of 29.51 for the season. Since then he looks to have added a yard or two of pace to his bowling over the winter and it is undoubtedly paying off, he is already well on his way to improving on his wicket haul from 2015.
What do they say about him?
Nottinghamshire team-mate Stuart Broad: "Jake has developed so quickly in the last 18 months. He's tall, he's got good pace and he's a guy that takes big wickets - he gets top-order batsmen out. He was the best bowler on show [against Yorkshire] and it's a good sign when players perform well on TV against good players."
Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie: "He bowled well against us in Abu Dhabi in pre-season and then again in our recent Championship match. He can move the ball off the surface and swing it through the air, while he bowls a good length and invites the batsmen to come forward. If he gets an opportunity, I think he will do well.
Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain: "He has been very impressive. On a pretty decent Trent Bridge pitch, he bowled really well and got Root out twice. He looked sharp, fit and in-form and when you speak to guys around County Championship Division One, they say he has been doing well for some time."
What does he say?
Jake Ball, to Nottinghamshire's official website: "I haven't met (coach) Trevor Bayliss yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he's about - and obviously meeting up with a few of the players I haven't played against or met. It's going to be a really exciting time, I really can't wait to get going."
First class bowling record
Matches: 26
Wickets: 84
Average: 25.13
Best innings figures: 6-49
Best match figures: 9-67
Is he new to the England set up?
Again, no. While this may be Ball's first call-up to the Test side, he is no stranger to representing England. The seamer was an Under-19 international, playing a starring role in two U19 Tests in 2010 against Sri Lanka, and was rewarded for his fine county form in 2015 with a call to the England Development Programme fast bowling camp and a place in the England Lions squad for their tour of Pakistan. There he impressed once more both with the red and the white ball.
Any other business?
Ball does have another England connection in the form of his uncle, and former Nottinghamshire and England wicketkeeper, Bruce French, who also had a spell as England's wicketkeeping coach where he worked closely with Matt Prior, in particular.
You can see whether Ball makes his Test debut as England take on Sri Lanka from 10am next Thursday, May 19, live on Sky Sports 2 HD.
