Prior backs 'unflappable' Ballance to grab Ashes spot despite 'recent' first-ball duck

Stand-in captain Matt Prior has backed batsman Gary Ballance to bounce straight back and press for an Ashes Test spot after a first-ball duck in England's opening tour match in Australia.

According to Sport24, the Yorkshire left-hander missed a big opportunity to stake his claim for the number six batting spot in the series starting in Brisbane on November 21 when he was out first ball against a Western Australian Chairman's XI on Saturday.

The Zimbabwean-born 23-year-old has batted twice for England, the other time a one-dayer against Ireland, and has now faced a total of three balls without scoring, the report said.

However, Prior said Ballance will get another chance in the two remaining lead-up games to the first Test.

He added that Ballance was hitting the ball brilliantly in the nets, he looks the part and he'll get another opportunity to get a score.

Prior, who deputised as captain while Alastair Cook received treatment for a back injury, said Ballance took his setback well.

Ballance is one of three players, along with former Ireland paceman Boyd Rankin and Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, in England's 17-man squad who are yet to make their Test debuts, the report added.