Gary Ballance has told Sky Sports News HQ he has received assurances from the England selectors that he remains part of their plans, despite losing his place in the Ashes squad.

Ballance was replaced by Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow for the third Test at Edgbaston, which begins on Wednesday.

But the batsman is hoping for an early return to the team.

"I was obviously gutted for a few days, but I've cleared my head and hopefully I can look forward now," he said.

Gary Ballance is hoping to impress selectors with a return to form at Yorkshire

"They (the selectors) said: 'We still want you in our side, we want you in our thoughts. Just go away and score some runs,' and hopefully it'll be sooner than later that I get back in the side."

Ballance was speaking after Yorkshire's Royal London Cup game with Gloucestershire was brought to a premature end due to persistent rain.

"They (the selectors) said: 'We still want you in our side, we want you in our thoughts. Just go away and score some runs'."

Gary Ballance

The 25-year-old made an encouraging start to his fifth-wicket partnership with Will Rhodes, before being caught behind for 31 as Yorkshire stuttered to 227 all out.

England batting coach Mark Ramprakash has backed Ballance to bounce back from his Ashes disappointment and return as a "better and stronger player".

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