Alastair Cook to play for England Lions against India 'A' ahead of Test series

David Clough 20:05 06/07/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Former England captain Alastair Cook joins a team of Test hopefuls and regulars in the Lions XI to take on India A at Worcester this month. Six of the line-up chosen for the four-day match starting on July 16 already have Test caps.

    They include seamer Chris Woakes who, as previously announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday lunchtime, will play the match as he bids to prove his fitness after a knee injury in time for the five-match series against India which starts on August 1.

    There is also a clutch of intriguing bat-offs and bowl-offs in prospect at New Road as openers Rory Burns and Nick Gubbins have an opportunity to press Test claims – while the middle order houses England incumbent Dawid Malan and rising star Ollie Pope.

    Among the bowlers, Somerset spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach will both be out to impress.

    All-rounder Sam Curran, who made his Test debut at Headingley last month, is included too – although he may yet have to miss the match if England instead need him for their third and final one-day international against India back in Leeds on July 17. The Lions will wait until the morning of the match to announce their captain.

    England Lions XI (v India A at Worcester, starting July 16)

    Alastair Cook, Rory Burns, Nick Gubbins, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope (wk), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Matt Fisher, Jack Leach, Jamie Porter

    Recommended