GARY Ballance has admitted his surprise at being named in England's 16-man Ashes squad for this winter's series in Australia.

The Yorkshire captain travels alongside county colleagues Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

The selectors have included three uncapped players in back-up wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, all-rounder Craig Overton and leg-spinner Mason Crane.

Ben Stokes has been included following his arrest in the early hours of Monday morning in Bristol and he keeps the vice-captaincy.

But it has been revealed that he suffered a minor fracture in his right hand as a result of an incident which put a man in hospital.

Ballance has been recalled to the squad following his recovery from a fractured finger which contributed to him missing the last five Tests of the home summer against South Africa and the West Indies.

The left-hander has been in fine form for Yorkshire this year, scoring 946 County Championship runs with three hundreds and four fifties, including a top score of 203 not out.

"I knew they were making the decision last night and I had a feeling I had a small chance of getting the call," said Ballance, currently captaining Yorkshire in their season-ending match against Essex at Chelmsford.

"I'm a little bit surprised but the two Tests I played this summer, I thought I was going well before I broke my finger. I feel in a good place and can't wait to get going.

"I was there on the last Ashes tour and made my debut in Sydney (2014). I'm very much looking forward to the challenge.

"It's a great place to go and play cricket – but a tough place. It's one of the toughest challenges you get as a cricketer and that's what you play the game for.

"Hopefully I can score some runs and help the team win some games."

Ballance will fight it out with James Vince and Dawid Malan for two places in England's top order ahead of the first Test in Brisbane, starting on November 23.

England play warm-up matches in Perth, Adelaide and Townsville.

Ballance said: "I feel in a good place with where my game's at. I'm by no means happy with it though.

"I always want to get better and I've got to make sure I work hard before the tour and make sure I've got a way of playing that will make me successful in Australia."

England squad: Root (capt), Ali, Anderson, Bairstow (wkt), Ball, Ballance, Broad, Cook, Crane, Foakes (wkt), Malan, Overton, Stokes, Stoneman, Vince, Woakes.