Derbyshire go for Ballance

Steve Stubbings will captain Derbyshire against Yorkshire

Derbyshire have selected 17-year-old batsman Gary Ballance for the floodlight Friends Provident Trophy clash against Yorkshire Phoenix on Thursday at Derby.

Ballance made three first-team appearances in 2006, then aged 16, and he responded magnificently with scores of 48 and 73 in the first two of the matches.

Currently on school holidays, the talented youngster will step into a side that is missing three front-line batsmen through injury.

Captain Simon Katich (groin) and Phil Weston (ribs) have both picked up injuries during the past week and Chris Taylor will miss the opportunity to take on his former county in the Sky Sports televised fixture owing to a back problem.

Stephen Stubbings will captain the side in Katich’s absence as he did for much of the latter half of last season while Graeme Welch was injured.

Tom Lungley could return to the bowling line-up after missing Monday’s match against Nottinghamshire and Ian Hunter’s comeback is set to continue following knee surgery.

Wayne White and Graham Wagg are the other two seam bowling options as Kevin Dean and Boyd Rankin remain on the sidelines alongside long-term absentee Graeme Welch.

Simon Guy continues to deputise for Gerard Brophy as Yorkshire’s wicket-keeper. Brophy is close to fitness following a hand injury but will not be risked.

Meanwhile England captain Michael Vaughan will be available for Yorkshire selection for the Friends Provident Trophy match against Durham at Headingley Carnegie on June 3.

Derbyshire: Stephen Stubbings (cpt), Travis Birt, Gary Ballance, Greg Smith, Dan Birch, Ant Botha, Jamie Pipe, Graham Wagg, Jake Needham, Tom Lungley, Wayne White and Ian Hunter

Yorkshire: Craig White Jacques Rudolph, Anthony McGrath, Younus Khan, Anthony Gale, Richard Pyrah, Tim Bresnan, Simon Guy, Darren Gough (cpt), Jason Gillespie, Deon Kruis, David Wainwright