There are some notable misses out of a strong England Lions squad to face Australia down under. Other prominent omissions are Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox. The UAE-based team are preparing to back Ben Stokes’ Test team as they face their biggest cricketing challenge yet, down under. They are organizing to bring both upstage and downstage opposition.
Rehan Ahmed, a 21-year-old leg-spinner, has already shown what he can do on the international stage. As such, he won a place in the squad. He made his fifth Test appearance during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in October 2024. This was to prove his last Test match foray. Despite a commendable performance in the past, Ahmed was not selected for the main Ashes squad, prompting interest in how he will contribute to the Lions.
One of the young brigade at 22 Sonny Baker, pace bowler, joins the Lions. Baker had tremendous odds against her, even before making her international debut. He had a chastening debut in his one-day international debut against South Africa and then failed to impress in a Twenty20 game against Ireland. Nonetheless, his inclusion in the Lions presents an opportunity for Baker to refine his skills and gain valuable experience on the international stage.
Jordan Cox at 24 years of age rounds out this trio of emerging players. Cox has shown flashes of brilliance as a defensive wicketkeeper-batter. Unfortunately, at the same time, he broke his thumb, ruining his hopes of making a long-expected Test debut last summer in New Zealand. His presence in the Lions squad allows him to continue rounding out his game. Along with that, he’s helping get the team ready for the series they’ve got coming up.
The other two notable inclusions in the squad are the exciting Keatling batting brothers — James Rew and Thomas Rew, both from Somerset. They promise to add some pop and finesse to the squad as they head into preparations for their tilt.
This tour will be a landmark tour for the England Lions. It provides young players such as Ahmed, Baker and Cox the chance to hone their talents and further bolster the Test side. The squad’s exciting, varied makeup speaks to England’s focus on developing new talent, as they look ahead while building upon their past success.
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