Ball to make Eng debut

Jake Ball is set to make his England debut against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday after captain Alastair Cook confirmed his place in the side a day before the start of the first Test.

Ball was in the squad for all three Tests without playing during England's preceding 2-0 series win (with one draw).

But Ball has now been included after James Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, was ruled out of the first of this four-Test series with a shoulder injury.

"Jake will make his debut," Cook told reporters at Lord's on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately Jimmy has missed out but it's a great opportunity for Jake," the opening batsman added.

The 25-year-old Ball has edged out fellow uncapped seamer Toby Roland-Jones, who was hoping to make his Test debut on his Middlesex home ground.