Tredwell named in the England Lions squad to tour United Arab Emirates

Kent off-spinner James Tredwell (pictured)has been named in the squad for next month’s England Lions tour of the United Arab Emirates by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Yorkshire“s Andrew Gale will captain a squad that includes six players who were included in either the England ODI or Test squads for the tour of South Africa (Tredwell, Ian Bell, Michael Carberry, Steven Davies, Sajid Mahmood, Adil Rashid) and six players who were members of the England Performance Programme (Gale, Michael Carberry, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, James Taylor and Chris Woakes).

Steve Kirby, Peter Trego and Michael Lumb have also been rewarded with a place in the squad following impressive seasons in the limited overs format for their counties throughout 2009.

England Lions will contest three T20 matches against Pakistan A, as well as T20 matches against the UAE and England. These will be followed by three 50-over fixtures against Pakistan A at the DSC Stadium, Dubai.

David Parsons, ECB Performance Director, said: "We have an excellent balance of younger players who are just beginning to stake their claim for international honours and players with plenty of experience at full international or county level in this England Lions squad, and I have no doubt that every member will gain a huge amount from the three week tour. We ran a very successful Performance Programme during November and December and I am delighted that six players from this year’s EPP have been selected for this tour. This represents an opportunity for them to test themselves against quality opposition and to press their case for a place in the England side."

Commenting on his inclusion in the squad, Tredwell added: “I am delighted to be named in the Lions party for the tour of the United Arab Emirates. We go there with a real strong squad. I“m sure we will do well and I look forward to hopefully playing a key role before moving on to Bangladesh with England.”

ENGLAND LIONS SQUAD
Andrew Gale (captain, Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
Michael Lumb (Hampshire)
James Taylor (Leicestershire)
Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)
Steven Davies (Surrey)
Peter Trego (Somerset)
James Tredwell (Kent)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire)
David Wainright (Yorkshire)

Please note: James Tredwell will join the England Lions squad for the first four matches of the tour only. He will then transfer to the England One-Day squad for the tour of Bangladesh.

England“s full One-Day and Test squads to tour Bangladesh will be announced after the conclusion of the current Test series in South Africa.

ENGLAND LIONS TOUR OF UAE:
Feb 10: UAE, T20 match, Sharjah
Feb 12: Pakistan A, T20 match, Sharjah
Feb 14: Pakistan A, T20 match, Sharjah
Feb 16: Pakistan A, T20 match, Abu Dhabi
Feb 17: England, T20 match, Abu Dhabi
Feb 22: Pakistan A, 50-over match, DSC Stadium, Dubai
Feb 24: Pakistan A, 50-over match, DSC Stadium, Dubai
Feb 26: Pakistan A, 50-over match, DSC Stadium, Dubai

Picture: Getty Images