England Lions: Teenager Rehan Ahmed named to 15-man squad; Jofra Archer will travel to the UAE | Cricket News

The England Lions have named teenager Rehan Ahmed to their 15-man squad for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates in November, while Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood will join the traveling squad to speed up their recovery from injury.

The squad will be in the United Arab Emirates from November 6-27, while the England men’s team travel to Abu Dhabi on November 18 ahead of a three-day training match between the two teams from November 23-25.

Ahmed, 18, has long been touted for international honors and finished the county season with a first five for and a first century in the same game for Leicestershire against Derbyshire. He scored with the English side in limited overs at Emirates Old Trafford earlier this summer, where he was treated to a one-on-one training session with Adil Rashid.

Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher, who all played Test cricket in 2022, are the most prominent names in the Lions squad.

Durham Quick Potts were considered unlucky not to make the full Test squad after a very impressive start to their England career – taking 20 wickets in five appearances – while compatriot Fisher, who made his debut in test in Barbados in March, also has a lot to do. play for after missing the majority of the county season for Yorkshire with a stress fracture in his back.

Hameed and Lawrence take their place among the hitters, the former having been released after an Ashes punishment last winter and the latter not found since Brendon McCullum and Stokes took charge of the red ball team.

Somerset captain Tom Abell and Lancashire striker Josh Bohannon are two of the most established domestic performers on the Lions uncapped roster, while Essex dressmaker Sam Cook is award-winning for his consistent quality across all formats.

Jack Carson and Liam Patterson-White are included as spinners, which seems to be bad news for Dom Bess and Matt Parkinson, whose stock appears to have fallen. Sam Conners, Tom Haines, Jack Haynes, Lyndon James and Jamie Smith complete the group.

England Lions training squad: Tom Abell (Somerset), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Josh Bohannon (Lancashire), Jack Carson (Sussex), Sam Conners (Derbyshire), Sam Cook (Essex), Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire) ), Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire), Tom Haines (Sussex), Jack Haynes (Worcestershire), Lyndon James (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Essex). Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Matthew Potts (Durham), Jamie Smith (Surrey).

Archer accelerates return to fitness

Archer, who has retained his central contract despite not having played for England since March 2021, is one of three rhythm bowlers to join the group for the trip as he closes in on a competitive return.

The 27-year-old, who has battled serious elbow and back injuries, features alongside Mahmood – out since April with a stress fracture in his back – and Durham’s Brydon Carse.

The Lions will also be joined by five test squad members who are not involved in the T20 World Cup. James Anderson and Jamie Overturn will be involved from November 6-19, while Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach and Will Jacks will join from November 11.

ECB Performance Director Mo Bobat said: “It is great to be able to repeat the Lions development experiences and the camp in Dubai and Abu Dhabi represents a fantastic opportunity for a strong group of players. potential.

“While we aim to ensure Lions opportunities are closely matched with England’s future needs, we also try to be as individualized as possible with our player line-up. Selection for camp has been carried out in close collaboration with players and counties, and there are a number of players who have been encouraged and supported to pursue further opportunities at home and abroad.

“The camp also supports the England men’s team in their preparation for Pakistan, allowing England and Lions players to work closely together in overseas conditions.”