Wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith has been named in the England Lions Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Smith, who came through the Surrey County Age Group system was recently part of the Lions side that took part in a training camp in the UAE ahead of England’s record-breaking series win in Pakistan.
The red-ball tour will begin with a three-day warm-up match in Colombo on January 25 before two four-day Tests against Sri Lanka A in Galle.
ECB Performance Director, Mo Bobat, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to expose players to the challenges of playing A-team cricket in the sub-continent, which will be fantastic for their development.
“The series also provides us with the chance to observe the players ahead of this year’s World Cup as well as next winter’s Test series in India.
“The squads have been selected with careful consideration of each player’s individual programme. We’ve worked closely with the counties to understand the players’ best interests as we map their development opportunities. In some cases that includes enabling players to play in domestic franchise cricket.
“The ODI squad takes into account the strength in depth that we have across a number of key roles in our England Men’s white-ball teams and many of the players will join us directly from cricket they’ve been playing elsewhere, in Australia, South Africa or the UAE.
“After a hugely exciting and successful first half of the winter for our Test and Twenty20 teams, I am sure the Lions players will be suitably motivated to make the most of this opportunity.”
The ECB is set to confirm the Head Coach and the captains for each squad before the series, while selection is subject to attainment of England Lions minimum fitness standards.
16-PLAYER LIONS TEST SQUAD
Tom Abell (Somerset), Josh Bohannon (Lancashire), Jack Carson (Sussex), Sam Cook (Essex), Matt Fisher (Yorkshire), Nathan Gilchrist (Kent), Tom Haines (Sussex), Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire), Tom Hartley (Lancashire), Jack Haynes (Worcestershire), Lyndon James (Nottinghamshire), Alex Lees (Durham), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Ollie Robinson (Durham), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Worcestershire).
ENGLAND LIONS TOUR OF SRI LANKA – SCHEDULE (TIMINGS ARE LOCAL)
Three-day warm-up match: SLC Board XI v England Lions; 25-27 January, RPICS Colombo (10am start)
First four-day Test: Sri Lanka A v England Lions; 31 January – 3 February, GICS Galle (10am start)
Second four-day Test: Sri Lanka A v England Lions; 7-10 February, GICS Galle (10am start)
