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In a significant move aimed at blending experience with emerging talent, veteran England pacer Chris Woakes has been named in a 15-member England Lions squad full of youngsters for the upcoming two-match four-day series against India A.
Chris Woakes returns as ECB announces England Lions squad to face India A
The first of these matches is set to begin on May 30 at the Spitfire Ground in St Lawrence, Canterbury. For Woakes, this series represents a vital step in his return to competitive cricket after an ankle injury ruled him out of the recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe and delayed the start of his summer. At 36, Woakes remains a crucial asset in English conditions, having delivered stellar performances in the previous Ashes series, where he took 19 wickets at an average of 18.15 and won the prestigious Compton-Miller Medal. With 24 wickets at 20.25 last summer in the absence of James Anderson, Woakes not only shouldered the responsibility of leading the attack but reaffirmed his value in red-ball cricket. The India A fixtures are now pivotal for Woakes to prove his fitness and form ahead of England’s upcoming Test series against India in June.
James Rew named captain of the 15-member squad
Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew, who was recently included in the senior Test squad for the Zimbabwe encounter, will captain England Lions in both matches. Rew’s leadership comes amid a strong domestic season and growing trust from the selectors in his temperament and technique. Rocky Flintoff, the teenage son of former England great Andrew Flintoff, has also been named in the squad
The squad boasts a blend of young talents and players on the fringes of Test selection, including legspinner Rehan Ahmed, who will be available only for the first match before joining England’s T20I squad for the West Indies series. Also returning to the side is Dan Mousley, a promising middle-order batter who has consistently impressed at the county level.
Among other notable inclusions is opener Ben McKinney, a product of the Under-19 system, who could emerge as a potential challenger to Zak Crawley at the top of the order. The selection of players like Josh Hull, the left-arm pacer who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka last year, highlights a shift in England’s approach to Lions matches, which are now being used more strategically as platforms for grooming future Test cricketers rather than merely developmental fixtures.
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Rehan Ahmed’s younger earns maiden Lions call-up
In an exciting development, Rehan Ahmed‘s younger brother Farhan Ahmed has earned his maiden Lions call-up, following a strong start to the season with Nottinghamshire, where he has impressed with his off-spin. This marks the first instance of the Ahmed brothers being selected in the same representative squad, adding a familial subplot to an already intriguing series. Another player making a comeback is Essex batter Jordan Cox, who was originally preferred over James Rew for the Zimbabwe Test but missed out due to an abdominal injury. Cox is expected to feature in the second four-day match in Northampton starting June 6, once he completes his recovery. His inclusion, even for just one fixture, reflects the selectors’ intent to assess his readiness for higher honours as England continue to build bench strength across formats.
England Lions squad for the India A games:
James Rew (C), Farhan Ahmed, Rehan Ahmed (1st match only), Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox (2nd match only), Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley, Ajeet Singh Dale, Chris Woakes
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