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Ball's fall sends scare through England camp

Paceman falls awkwardly and is forced to leave the field during tour match in Adelaide

Fast bowler Jake Ball has sent a new injury scare through the England camp ahead of the Magellan Ashes, spraining his right ankle in their tour match at Adelaide Oval.

Bowling on day two of England's four-day game against a Cricket Australia XI, Ball rolled his right ankle as he landed on his back foot in his delivery stride and fell awkwardly on the pitch.

After receiving medical treatment out in the middle, the right-armer gingerly left the playing arena and England later confirmed he would take no further part in the day's play.

He will be assessed today and overnight to determine his role in this rest of this match and the tour.

Image Id: 9395544E31BE421295C820CCD6879518 Image Caption: Ball leaves the field alongside England's medical team // Getty

On his first Ashes tour, Ball is considered the leading contender to be England's fourth frontline pace option in their XI for the Ashes should the tourists opt for a pace-heavy attack.

Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes appear certain to lead the bowling attack, but the likely absence to fast-bowling allrounder Ben Stokes at No.6 would leave the tourists with just three pace options.

But a re-jigged middle order, which could see wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow and off-spinning allrounder Moeen Ali elevated to No.6 and No.7 in the batting order, would open the door for a fourth quick in the side.

Image Id: BA1F6C48805943E98A5983A912A2C799 Image Caption: Ball clutches his right ankle after falling in Adelaide // Getty

Ball, a tall and pacey quick who played three Tests last year, impressed in England's opening warm-up game in Perth last week and is considered ahead of Craig Overton and Tom Curran in the race for the fourth seamer's spot.

Uncapped Curran had been expecting to spend the summer with the Hobart Hurricanes in the KFC Big Bash League until he was called into England's squad this week to replace Steven Finn, who was sent home with a cartilage injury in his left knee.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21