Alastair Cook has revealed Steven Finn, as expected, will start ahead of Jake Ball in England's pace attack for the first Investec Test of the summer tomorrow.

Ball was given his maiden senior international call-up last week when named in England's 12-man squad to face Sri Lanka at Headingley after impressing with the Lions over the winter and in the early part of the county season.

However, his only hope of making his England bow was to oust Finn, who had niggling injuries over the winter and was reported to have been struggling with his rhythm recently.

The Watford-born bowler though, played a crucial role in the memorable Test series win in South Africa and he will return to the line-up.

"Steven Finn is going to (play). He has been outstanding when he's been fit for us," Cook confirmed at his press conference today.

"It's great to have Jake along, and he's made a big impact this year in county cricket. It's great for the guys who haven't seen too much of him to get to know the guy."