Bethell and Hain selected for England Lions ODI tour

Jacob Bethell and Sam Hain have been named in the England Lions ODI squad for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

The ODI squad provides a return to action for Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse after they were both a part of the pace bowler rehab programme during the UAE camp. The squad also includes Jacob Bethell, Tom Prest and James Rew who were a part of the England Under-19s team that reached the 2022 ICC Under-19s World Cup final in Antigua.

Bethell and Rew, who are both currently playing grade cricket in Australia, will join the England Under-19s squad for this month’s two Youth Tests in Australia before joining the Lions ODI squad.

ECB Performance Director, Mo Bobat, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to expose players to the challenges of playing A-team cricket in the sub-continent, which will be fantastic for their development.

“The series also provides us with the chance to observe the players ahead of this year’s World Cup as well as next winter’s Test series in India.

“The squad has been selected with careful consideration of each player’s individual programme. We’ve worked closely with the counties to understand the players’ best interests as we map their development opportunities. In some cases that includes enabling players to play in domestic franchise cricket.

“The ODI squad takes into account the strength in depth that we have across a number of key roles in our England Men’s white-ball teams and many of the players will join us directly from cricket they’ve been playing elsewhere, in Australia, South Africa or the UAE.

“After a hugely exciting and successful first half of the winter for our Test and Twenty20 teams, I am sure the Lions players will be suitably motivated to make the most of this opportunity.”

The ECB is set to confirm the Head Coach and the captains for each squad before the series, while selection is subject to attainment of England Lions minimum fitness standards.

The ODI series follows two Tests and a warm-up fixture that start at the end of January. There is no Bears representation within this squad.

ODI Squad

Tom Abell (Somerset), Tom Banton (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Cook (Essex), Jordan Cox (Kent), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Matt Critchley (Essex), Matt Fisher (Yorkshire), Sam Hain (Warwickshire), Tom Hartley (Lancashire), Tom Lammonby (Somerset), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Tom Prest (Hampshire), James Rew (Somerset), Luke Wood (Lancashire).

Matches

First ODI: Sri Lanka A v England Lions; 15 February, RPICS Colombo (10am start)
Second ODI: Sri Lanka A v England Lions, 18 February, RPICS Colombo (10am start)
Third ODI: Sri Lanka A v England Lions, 21 February, RPICS Colombo (10am start)