Ashes: England pick Jake Ball as Australia call up Glenn Maxwell

Jake Ball has taken two wickets at an average of 114 in three Tests

England have named seamer Jake Ball ahead of Craig Overton in their side for the first Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Ball, 26, has recovered from the sprained ankle he suffered on 10 November and which kept him out of England's final warm-up game last week.

Australia have called up all-rounder Glenn Maxwell as cover for David Warner, who has a stiff neck, and Shaun Marsh, who has a sore back.

The opening Test at the Gabba starts at 00:00 GMT on Thursday.

England team: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (capt), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, James Anderson.

Nottinghamshire's Ball has bowled only 15.4 overs on the tour, having fallen in his delivery stride during England's four-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide.

Overton, who has not played a Test, featured in all three of England's tour games, taking eight wickets.

"It wasn't an easy decision," said captain Joe Root. "Craig has come into the squad and everything asked of him he's done really well.

"Jake has bowled well when he's had his opportunity on the tour and the way he goes about things on these surfaces could be really challenging for the Australians."

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England will name their batting order on the morning of the game, with Moeen Ali thought to be line in to move above wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to number six.

On Tuesday, all-rounder Moeen said he expected to bat at seven, but Root told reporters on Wednesday to "wait and see".

Warner 'confident' despite neck injury

David Warner averages 44.95 in Ashes Tests

Warner, 31, has had limited time in the nets in the final two days before the Test, but Australia captain Steve Smith said he expects him to be "OK".

"Warner is still a little bit stiff but he's feeling better and very confident," said Smith.

"He's a pretty talented guy and he finds a way no matter what's going on."

Left-handed Warner, who averages 47.94 from 66 Tests, is due to open with the uncapped Cameron Bancroft.

Warner faced only two throw-downs in the nets on Tuesday but had a longer session on Wednesday, batting without a helmet.

"He was hitting them well in the nets," said Smith, who joked that Warner may be forced to copy the open-chested style of former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"He had to open his body up a little more, but he's confident he'll be fine."

Root said: "I don't think we need to change our plans. We'll be ready for him to play."

Smith confirmed that seamers Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers will miss out, meaning pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will feature in the same Test side for the first time.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell.