T20I Tri-Series 2018: England Include Jake Ball as a Cover

England have decided to keep Jake Ball with the squad for the forthcoming T20I tri-series involving Australia and New Zealand.

The right-arm pacer will remain with the team as cover with fellow pacers, Liam Plunkett and Chris Jordan nursing respective injuries.

The 26-year old was supposed to return to England at the end of the recently-concluded five-match One-Day International series against Australia. However, he accompanied the team from Perth to Canberra, where England will take on a Prime Minister’s XI in a warm-up game on Friday.

The Nottinghamshire fast-bowler is in Australia since October but has featured in only one Ashes Test and one ODI. And while he has been asked to stay Down Under, he is yet to be formally added to the squad for the T20 series.

Plunkett has not played since injuring his hamstring mid-over in the third ODI in Sydney while Jordan is carrying a hamstring niggle after joining the team on Tuesday night.

Eoin Morgan & Co. are expected to take the field against the Prime Minister’s XI without Plunkett and Jordan, but Ball is unlikely to get a chance in the playing eleven. England are expected to field the pace attack of Mark Wood, David Willey and Tom Curran.

Meanwhile, opener Alex Hales is also doubtful for the warm-up game after hurting his hand when dropping a catch in the outfield in Perth. In his absence, England are likely to pick Sam Billings, Dawid Malan and James Vince.

The tri-series gets underway on Saturday (February 3) with host Australia taking on New Zealand in Sydney. England will open the campaign on February 7 against Australia in Hobart.