Jake Ball called up by England as cover for injured Chris Woakes ahead of Australia series

Woakes joined Ben Stokes on the injury sidelines after suffering a thigh strain in England’s victory over Pakistan in the second Test

Ball is back after playing the last of his 17 ODIs to date at Perth in January in the 4-1 series victory over Australia (Getty)

England have called up Jake Ball as cover for injured seamer Chris Woakes in their Royal London Series squad to face Australia this month.

Woakes joined Ben Stokes on the injury sidelines after suffering a thigh strain in England’s victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Headingley.

Both will be unavailable for this weekend’s one-off one-day international against Scotland and, according to an England and Wales Cricket Board statement, the “first part” of the five-match series against Australia.

Ball is back after playing the last of his 17 ODIs to date at Perth in January in the 4-1 series victory over Australia. He has taken 21 wickets, with a best of five for 51, but averages 45.28.

The ECB released a brief statement on Tuesday morning.

It read: “Nottinghamshire seamer Jake Ball has been drafted into England’s ODI squad for the Royal London series against Australia as cover for all-rounder Chris Woakes.

“Woakes, who will be unavailable for the first part of the series with a right quad strain, joins Ben Stokes (left hamstring tear) on the injured list.

“Both players have commenced their injury rehab programmes and will be hoping to respond to treatment with the aim of featuring in the latter stages of the series.”

The series is due to get underway at The Oval on Wednesday, 13 June.

England squad (v Australia): EJG Morgan (Captain), MM Ali, JM Bairstow, JT Ball, SW Billings, JC Buttler (wkt), TK Curran, AD Hales, LE Plunkett, AU Rashid, JE Root, JJ Roy, DJ Willey, MA Wood.

- Woakes and Stokes remain part of the squad too, but will both miss the start of the series because of their injuries.

PA