England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed that Steven Finn has been selected ahead of Jake Ball for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley.

The fast bowler, who missed England's World Twenty20 campaign with calf and side strains, has been preferred to uncapped Ball.

"Steven Finn is going to play," Cook said in Wednesday's press conference. "He's been outstanding when he's been fit for us. I think everyone kind of knew that."

Ball, who plays for Nottinghamshire, was in contention to become the team's third seamer behind James Anderson and Stuart Broad, but he will have to wait for his chance.

Meanwhile, Cook needs just 36 more runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000.

Written by
Danielle Joynson