Ballance, Rankin & Stokes in Ashes Squad

England have surprised many by naming Yorkshire's left handed batsman Gary Balance in their touring Ashes squad for this winter, and also bowler Boyd Rnakin and all rounder Ben Stokes.......

All three are yet to play a test match for England, but the selectors have put together an agressive seventeen man squad for the five test matches, which will take place from November, through to Sydney in January 2014.

They are joined in the squad by Michael Carberry, who get a place ahead of Nick Compton, whilst Monty Panesar earns a reprieve from his summer exploits with a bouncer, and takes the second spinner slot.

Tim Bresnan, missed out due to his current back injury, whilst there is no place for Graham Onions.

England have selected Chris Tremlett and Steve Finn, to go alongside Rankin, in a show of tall fast bowling options.

England squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Michael Carberry, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Matt Prior (vice-captain), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Steve Finn, Boyd Rankin, Chris Tremlett.