Ball has '˜bright future' in Test cricket - Newell

Jake Ball has a '˜bright future' in Test cricket, despite his omission from England's touring party for March's two-Test tour of New Zealand.
IN PICTURE: Jake Ball.

CAPTION SHOULD READ: PICTURE BY MARK FEAR/MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY.  CONTACT markfearphotographer@outlook.com (+44) 753 977 3354

STORY: NOTTS COUNTY CRICKET PRESS/MEDIA DAY AT TRENT BRIDGE CRICKET GROUND, NOTTINGHAM.
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2017.
PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEARIN PICTURE: Jake Ball.

CAPTION SHOULD READ: PICTURE BY MARK FEAR/MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY.  CONTACT markfearphotographer@outlook.com (+44) 753 977 3354

STORY: NOTTS COUNTY CRICKET PRESS/MEDIA DAY AT TRENT BRIDGE CRICKET GROUND, NOTTINGHAM.
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2017.
PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR
IN PICTURE: Jake Ball. CAPTION SHOULD READ: PICTURE BY MARK FEAR/MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY. CONTACT [email protected] (+44) 753 977 3354 STORY: NOTTS COUNTY CRICKET PRESS/MEDIA DAY AT TRENT BRIDGE CRICKET GROUND, NOTTINGHAM. FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2017. PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR

That’s the view of Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket and national selector Mick Newell after the former Welbeck player missed out on a place in the 16-man squad to play the Black Caps. Ball played in the first Ashes Test of England’s 4-0 series defeat in Australia after recovering from ankle ligament damage that hampered his preparations early in the tour.

But he subsequently lost his place in the team by Craig Overton and then Tom Curran as Joe Root’s side fought in vain to play their way back into contention.

Ball will be replaced for the second leg of England’s trip Down Under by Durham paceman Mark Wood, but Newell is convinced the Notts seamer – who is part of England’s one-day squad for a five-match series with Australia starting on Sunday – will bounce back strongly from the disappointment.

“All is not lost for Jake and hopefully he won’t be too down because he’s got a lot more white ball cricket to come in the next six to eight weeks,” said Newell.

“England have returning players in Mark Wood for one who is competing for a spot with Jake and he’s got the nod on this occasion, but hopefully there are things Jake can learn from the past couple of months and he will continue to fight for his place in the Test match squad.

“Jake has a bright future for England in all three formats, including Tests. He’s played for England in all three formats now, which is a great achievement for a player of his age. We are going to continue to seek out a fast bowler and Jake is a good quality fast-medium bowler. I’m sure he will come into the new English season with a point to prove and that will benefit Notts and him.”