Gale in Lions squad to be captained by Cook

ALASTAIR COOK will captain the England Lions when they play Bangladesh in next week's four-day warm-up match at the County Ground in Derby, and Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale is also in the team.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2010, 18:10 BST
Updated 14th May 2010, 18:10 BST

Cook led England's Test side on their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year when regular skipper Andrew Strauss opted to skip the six-week tour, but is free to lead the side after not being selected for the England team that have reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20.

Cook is joined in the Lions team by Michael Carberry, who he opened alongside in the first Test in Bangladesh, while Monty Panesar is called up despite not being named in the ECB Performance Squad last month.

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Last year's PCA Young Player of The Year, James Taylor, was also included alongside fellow young up-and-comers Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and James Harris.

Cook's inclusion though will provide him an extra opportunity to find some form before the first Test at Lord's, which starts on May 27, after the left-hander has averaged just 28.37 in Essex's opening five games of the LV= County Championship season.

National selector Geoff Miller also said it was a chance for the 25-year-old to further develop his leadership qualities.

"Alastair Cook has an opportunity to further enhance his captaincy skills after a successful tour to Bangladesh and his knowledge of the Bangladesh side will be invaluable for his team," he said.

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"Several of these players were involved in the England and England Lions squads this winter and have had strong performances for their counties this season while Moeen Ali and James Harris are two promising young players who have been rewarded for playing pivotal roles for Worcestershire and Glamorgan respectively.

"The Lions matches are excellent opportunities for players pushing for England places to show what they are capable of and we have selected a group of players we feel possess many of the strengths and qualities needed to succeed in international cricket."

The England Lions match against Bangladesh starts on May 19 at the County Ground in Derby.

England Lions team: Alastair Cook (captain, Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Steven Davies (Surrey), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Durham), James Taylor (Leicestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

Related topics:Andrew GaleYorkshireCounty GroundDerby