Jake Ball celebrates England debut with GM deal

New England cap Jake Ball has marked the occasion of his Test debut by also securing a long-term sponsorship deal with Gunn and Moore.

He will use the GM Mana F4.5 DXM bat as he takes on Pakistan at Lord's as he begins life as an international cricketer.

Ball, nicknamed the 'Welbeck Wizard', has earned his place in England's side on the back of fine form last summer and this season which has seen him take 76 first-class wickets.

Three of those were Adam Lyth, Joe Root and Gary Ballance in a televised Championship game earlier this summer and he now lines up alongside Root and Ballance at the home of cricket.

Born in Mansfield, Ball is the nephew of Bruce French, who like Ball represented England and Nottinghamshire as well as being sponsored by GM, who are delighted to add Ball to their stable of players.

"We're delighted to welcome Jake to Gunn & Moore in what is an extremely exciting period of his career," Tom Coffey, GM Product Manager said.

"Over the last eighteen months to two years, Jake's progression has been clear for everyone to see, moving through fast bowling camps on England Development Programmes to England Lions tours and now on the verge of making his Test debut.

"We're very much looking forward to supporting Jake as he continues his progression towards further honours."

Meanwhile, Ball added: "I am delighted to join Team GM at such an important time in my career and I look forward to using their bats and equipment as my career develops.

"Being a local Nottingham firm and the strong historic and on-going links between GM and Notts CCC make it an ideal relationship for me."

Six of his team-mates are also part of the GM team: Luke Fletcher, Michael Lumb, Samit Patel, Chris Read, Billy Root, and Brendan Taylor.

© Cricket World 2016