Monday 11 July 2016 10:46, UK
Middlesex fast bowler Toby Roland-Jones has been given a shock call-up to the England Test squad to face Pakistan next week, replacing the injured James Anderson.
Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance is recalled to the squad for the Lord's opener - which starts next Thursday - in place of Nick Compton, who is taking a break from cricket.
There is no place in the 12-man squad for wicketkeeper Jos Buttler or all-rounder Ben Stokes - both men had been tipped to play as a specialist batsman.
Roland-Jones' call-up is a surprise, but if selected, he will playing on his home ground where his knowledge of the Lord's slope will be an asset.
The 28-year-old England Lions player has been in fine form for his county this season, taking 30 Championship wickets in nine matches at 29.07.
Anderson misses out with a right shoulder injury so Roland-Jones looks likely to be battling with Nottinghamshire's Jake Ball to replace him.
Ballance returned to a form - after a scratchy start to the season - by scoring a superb 132 at Scarborough against Roland-Jones and his Middlesex colleagues this week. He was dropped from the England Test squad after the second Ashes Test with Australia last summer.
National selector James Whitaker, said: "Building on the success of the Test series win against Sri Lanka last month, we have maintained our objective of retaining a balanced squad.
"With an injury to James Anderson, there is an opportunity for Toby Roland-Jones who has been a consistent performer in the County Championship over the last few years and deserves his chance.
"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. He has been in recent form with the bat for Yorkshire in the Championship. Gary is mentally strong and we feel that he will add quality and experience to England's middle-order.
"Pakistan will give us a stiff challenge during this series and we can expect some fantastic cricket from both sides over the next couple of months.
"The selectors would like to take this opportunity to wish Alastair Cook, Trevor Bayliss and the rest of the squad the best of luck for the series.
England squad: Cook, Ali, Bairstow, Ballance, Ball, Broad, Finn, Hales, Root, Roland-Jones, Vince, Woakes.
