England squad to play Sri Lanka: James Vince and Jake Ball in line for debuts after being called up

Vince is set to start to opening Test while Balle will be vieing for the third seamer's role

James Vince will come into the line-up in place of the retired James Taylor (Getty)

Uncapped James Vince and Jake Ball are both named in England's 12-man squad for the first Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley.

Hampshire batsman Vince appears set for a debut next week, in a line-up also including Nick Compton - who has kept his spot as England's likely number three - while Ball will have to vie for the third seamer's role.

Ball, 25, has stated his case with 19 wickets already for Nottinghamshire this summer in the Specsavers County Championship - having spent the winter with England Lions in the UAE and at a fast-bowling camp in South Africa.

Lions captain Vince, also 25, has five limited-overs caps and was part of the England squad which reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20 in India last month.

He too has begun the domestic summer well, including hitting a century against Yorkshire at Headingley.

National selector James Whitaker, said: "Both Jake Ball and James Vince thoroughly deserve their opportunity, having performed well with the England Lions and starting the season in good form with their respective counties.

"James has been a consistent performer for Hampshire and England Lions over the past few years. He is already well-regarded by the England coaches in the short format and now has the opportunity to showcase his skills at Test level.

"Building on his success with the Lions in the winter, Jake has impressed with the ball and has shown excellent control and skill in the opening matches of the county championship.

"If selected, we are confident he will perform very well at international level."


 Alex Hales remains Alastair Cook's opening partner 
 (Getty)

The first Test starts next Thursday, against opponents who pulled off a last-ditch victory over England at the same venue two years ago to take that series 1-0.

Alex Hales remains as captain Alastair Cook's opening partner, while Steven Finn is fit again and likely to join the attack in Leeds ahead of Ball.

Hales and Compton will begin the series with points to prove, after their unconvincing Test winters.

England's linchpin batsman Joe Root has great faith in them to deliver, though.

"I see these guys play a lot, and I know what they're capable of doing," he told Sky Sports News.

"I've got every confidence in those guys ahead of me to go on and make big scores.

"I'm sure they'll want to prove a lot of people wrong that are doubting them.

"Every time you go out there, it's an opportunity to do something special for your country.

"That's the way I'm sure they'll look at it, and exactly the way I look at it as well."Vince's first Test opportunity comes after the enforced retirement of James Taylor, at the age of just 26, because of his serious heart condition.

Jake Ball has been called up after his good form for Nottinghamshire (Getty)

The only other player who was in the team which finished the series victory over South Africa in January but is missing from the 12 named on Thursday morning is seamer Chris Woakes.

Ball is preferred after making a persuasive case at the start of this season, particularly when taking two wickets in two deliveries - including Root for a golden duck - in the televised match at home to Yorkshire.

Vince is determined to enjoy the occasion when he returns to Headingley for his Test debut.

"Obviously I wasn't there long ago, and it was nice to spend some time in the middle," he said, recalling that hundred against Yorkshire.

Definitely when I was growing up, playing for England in a Test was still the number one

&#13; <p>James Vince</p>&#13;

"But this is going to be a different feeling. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm going to try and soak it all up and enjoy it."

The Hampshire captain told his club's website: "It's something I've been aiming for since I was a little kid really.

"Definitely when I was growing up, playing for England in a Test was still the number one.

"I've had the experience of the T20s in Dubai against Pakistan, when it was a good feeling being able to contribute to the team. Being in the World T20 squad was a great experience as well, although obviously I would have liked to have played more of a part.

"Since then I've turned my attention to Hampshire and trying to have a good start to the season. It's only the last week when I started to notice stuff in the press. But to get the call, it took a while to sink in."

&#13; Alastair Cook will lead England against Sri Lanka &#13; (Getty)

For Ball, an exciting learning curve lies ahead too.

He told his club's website: "I haven't met (coach) Trevor Bayliss yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he's about - and obviously meeting up with a few of the players I haven't played against or met.

"It's going to be a really exciting time, and I really can't wait to get going."

England have also named a 30-man performance squad for this summer.

It includes their 22 players who are either centrally-contracted or have incremental contracts based on international appearances over the past year.

PA