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Joe Root has backed Alex Hales and Nick Compton to answer their critics when England take on Sri Lanka next week. Both batsmen are in a 12-man squad for the first Test at Headingley despite speculation they could miss out in the wake of up-and-down winter performances in South Africa.Neither scored a hundred during a four-match Test series, with opener Hales averaging just 17 and No 3 Compton under 31. But the only change to the batting personnel has seen Hampshire captain James Vince come in for James Taylor, whose sudden retirement left a place in the squad up for grabs.And Root told Sky Sports News HQ: We see these guys play a lot, we spend a lot of time together as a squad and we know what theyre capable of doing. Selectors kept the faith with Alex Hales (left) and Nick Compton Ive got every confidence in those guys ahead of me to go in and make big scores. Theyll want to prove a lot of people wrong whove been doubting them, and its a very exciting time for them.Vince, who is capped at one-day international and T20 level, is likely to make a first Test appearance after a decent start to the County Championship season including a century against Roots Yorkshire.James played extremely well against Yorkshire a few weeks ago, Root said. Hes been one of the guys over the past couple of years who have kept proving themselves.Englands other uncapped call-up, Nottinghamshire seam bowler Jake Ball, has also enjoyed success against Yorkshire this season and twice dismissed Root during a Division One game at Trent Bridge. Who is Jake Ball? A look at Englands new seamer He did for me, Root said. He was far too good for me, and hes a very talented cricketer.England will face tourists who have had to deal with the retirements of Test greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara since they won a two-match series on their last visit in 2014. Jake Ball twice dismissed Joe Root during Nottinghamshires Championship match against Yorkshire But Root said: It would be silly to be arrogant and think were going to wipe the floor with them. They have a lot of guys with a lot of talent who could do some special things in Test cricket.Roots team-mate Stuart Broad added: There is a bit of revenge to be had.I played in the Test matches at the start of 2014 and that was a tough time to play. It was quite an emotional series, it really hurt us as a team to lose in our own conditions.We know when we play Sri Lanka they play with a lot of pride and passion. Theyre always in the battle and they beat us in that battle last time.Vitality is partnering with England cricketer Joe Root who will take on the role of Ambassador. Joe will use his passion for healthy living to inspire everyone to be active and make positive changes to their lifestyle. Please visit www.vitality.co.uk for further information. Also See: Vince, Ball get England call Who is Jake Ball? England fixtures/results Get Sky Sports Cheap Jerseys From China . "Well over 50 (per cent)," coach Claude Noel said Tuesday after practice, where the Jets were looking at ways to cut down the scoring chances theyve been giving away. Wholesale China Jerseys . The Miami Heat star tops the leagues global list of top-selling jerseys for the 2012-13 season, edging Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Heat teammate Dwyane Wade for the No. http://www.wholesalejerseysnfl.net/ . The Sochi organizing committee said in Fridays statement that the torch relay reached the North Pole on Oct. 19. Russian Polar explorer Artur Chilingarov, who led the mission, lit a special bowl at the North Pole sign. Cheap Jerseys . HEROES Alex Ovechkin – Scored a pair of goals in Washington’s 4-0 win over Pittsburgh. With 13 goals in the past 13 games, Ovechkin now has 29 goals on the season to lead the league. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . According to USA Today the Finns have tapped forwards Jarkko Immonen and Sakari Salminen to replace injured forwards Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula at the Sochi Games.England take on Sri Lanka at Headingley in the first Test of the three-match Investec series, at the start of a summer that could end with them holding all nine Test trophies. After victory in South Africa over the winter, Alastair Cooks men possess seven and can complete the set with series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan on home soil.However, while England head into the series as favourites against a young Sri Lankan team, they will be wary of the threat posed by the tourists.Indeed, on their most recent tour of England, Sri Lanka emerged victorious after earning a draw at Lords and claiming a dramatic win at Headingley.Team newsSteven Finn has been given the nod to start ahead of the uncapped Jake Ball, Cook confirmed.Steven Finn is going to play, the England skipper said. Hes been outstanding when hes been fit for us. I think everyone kind of knew that.There will though be a Test debut for James Vince. The Hampshire batsman, who has featured for England in limited overs cricket during the winter, is expected to slot in at five, replacing the recently-retired James Taylor. Dhammika Prasad will miss the first Test with a shoulder injury Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be without seamer Dhammika Prasad at Headingley after he was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in their warm-up game at Essex.The 32-year-old will not miss the whole series though and is expected to be fit to return for the second Test at Chester-le-Street.While the team has been shorn of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara since their last visit, Sri Lanka will be pleased by the form of Kusal Mendis in their warm-up games and Dimuth Karunaratne should also arrive in Leeds in confident mood after a century against Leicestershire last week.dddddddddddd.Form Will England start their Test Match summer with a win over Sri Lanka? Watch all the action live on Sky Sports from Thursday at 10am Since defeat to Sri Lanka in 2014, England have lost just one of their last six Test series in a run that includes victories over India, South Africa and Australia.Their one defeat came against Pakistan in the UAE last autumn but was swiftly followed by the aforementioned triumph in South Africa, ensuring England head into the opener full of confidence.By contrast, Sri Lanka have played seven Test series since overcoming England two years ago, losing five. Home victories over Pakistan, in 2014, and the West Indies last year are their only successes and they come into the series on the back of a 2-0 whitewash in New Zealand.Watch England take on Sri Lanka in the first Test at Headingley from 10am on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 2. You can also keep up-to-date with all the action by following our live blog on skysports.com/cricket and catch highlights and The Verdict on Sky Sports after each days play. ' ' '