Lions call-up rules out Yorkshire pair

The duo are unavailable for the game that runs from May 9-12 after being named in the England Lions’ squad for a four-day fixture against the West Indies at Northampton.

The Lions’ match starts on May 10 and provides the tourists with their last opposition before the first Test at Lord’s on May 17.

Gloucestershire, in contrast, have no one in the Lions’ squad, which will be captained by Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor.

Along with Nottinghamshire and Surrey, Yorkshire are the only county to have two players in the 12-man party.

Although it is further recognition for Bairstow and Root, the decision to stage a Lions’ match at the same time as a Championship round is a further sign that the powers-that-be care little for the four-day tournament.

However, National Selector Geoff Miller believes the fixture in Northampton will give players a chance to press their full England claims.

“Many of the players included in this squad have worked hard on our overseas tours and training camps over the winter or have shown good early season form,” said Miller.

“West Indies will no doubt be challenging opposition and this fixture will present an opportunity for players to show that they are capable of taking the next step and representing England at Test level in the future.”

The squad includes Michael Carberry and Samit Patel, who have both represented England at Test level.

Nine of the squad toured Bangladesh or Sri Lanka with the Lions last winter, with Carberry, Nick Compton and Ben Stokes also included.

The only player in the squad uncapped at Lions’ level is Matt Coles, who is currently playing against Yorkshire in the Championship match taking place in Canterbury.

Coles, a right-arm pace bowler and left-hand batsman, spent the winter on the Potential England Performance Programme in Loughborough and Chennai before being added to the Lions’ squad for the final stages of the tour.

England Lions squad versus West Indies: James Taylor (Nottinghamshire, captain), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jack Brooks (Northamptonshire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Matt Coles (Kent), Nick Compton (Somerset), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham).