Yorkshire's Gary Ballance admitted yesterday that he did not expect to be part of England’s Ashes squad but believes he is well prepared for the world of Test cricket.

The uncapped 23-year-old Yorkshire batsman earned a spot on the plane to Australia as cover for the middle order, presumably having edged Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor in the final analysis.

Zimbabwe-born Ballance, who is nephew to their former captain David Houghton, said he had not anticipated a call from national selector Geoff Miller.