24 Sep 2013

England call up NZ-born allrounder for Ashes tour

7:33 am on 24 September 2013

The Christchurch-born Durham allrounder Ben Stokes has been named in England's Ashes cricket squad for the upcoming tour to Australia.

England have named two other uncapped test players in the squad - the Zimbabwe born Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance and former Ireland pace bowler Boyd Rankin.

The 22-year-old Stokes moved to England ten years ago when his father, former Kiwis rugby league prop Gerard Stokes, took up a coaching position there.

Notable ommissions from the squad are seam bowlers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions and opener Nick Compton who all played in Engalnd's recent Ashes success.

Left arm spinner Monty Panesar has been included despite recent off-field problems.