Ball v Woakes: Battle on for test vacancy with Stokes injured

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England Cricket Team (original picture by Tim Felce, cc-by-sa-2.0)

Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball will battle Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes for the vacancy left in the England test side by injured all rounder Ben Stokes.

Stokes suffered a knee injury in England’s opening test match against Sri Lanka, which the home side won by an innings and 88 runs at Headingley, and was unable to bowl in Sri Lanka’s second innings.

Woakes has made a strong case, picking up figures of 9/36 in Durham’s first innings as they were dismissed for 190 in the ongoing County Championship Division One match between Warwickshire and Durham.

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Chris Woakes (original picture by NAPARAZZI, cc-by-sa-2.0)

Jake Ball has not been able to play competitive cricket since his inclusion within the squad.

The 25 year old will be hoping to earn his first test cap against Sri Lanka in the second test match at Durham.

Woakes will be looking to add to his tally of playing in six test matches where he has picked up eight wickets and has scored a total of 129 runs.