England lions hoping to stake claim

The England lions will arrive in New Zealand this week to start a two month long tour. After witnessing the amazing collapse by England in the first test, there will be a couple of players who know that now is a good time to show the selectors of their ability.

The England team in the first test didn’t bowl too well, nor did they bat to the level they are capable. With calls for changes, the players in the squad are under increasing pressure and could be under more pressure with the Lions desperate to perform. With no domestic cricket, it will most likely be the star performers of this tour who are called up to the ‘senior’ squad. The batting spot is most up for grabs. With only Shah in the squad as a back-up there is limited changes that can be made, hence it is likely that one of the England Lions Batsmen will be called up. Right now, you would look at it as a direct battle between Bopara and Key, as both have international experience. However, once the tour gets under way, the likes of Stephen Moore or Joe Denly could find themselves pushing for a place.

In the bowling department, there is unlikely to be too much changes but if the England bowlers perform like they done in the first test, then one or two could find themselves in the squad for the home series. Amjad Khan and Sajid Mahmood, will no doubt be buoyed by their call ups for the India tour, while Liam Plunkett will be desperate to prove a point. Come the summer, it won’t be surprising if one of more of these are called up.

This does all depend on the performances on the tour. They are playing in a difficult tour, however, the conditions are more closer to English conditions here than anywhere else. That will assist the players in their performance, but could count against them as the conditions currently facing the England team in the West Indies are different.

A call-up is likely for any of these players, but the majority of the players are looking to break into the ODI team, rather than the ‘cosy club’ within the test team. This is a more realistic option, looking at the indifferent performances in the shorter game. With a mouth watering summer approaching, it is guaranteed the players will give it their all to break into a fragile England team.

England Lions squad to tour New Zealand: Robert Key (c), Gareth Batty, Ravi Bopara, Mark Davies, Stven Davies, Joe Denly, Amjad Khan, Sajid Mahmood, Stephen Moore, Eoin Morgan, Samit patel, Liam Plunkett, Ben Scott, Jonathon Trott, Luke Wright, Tim Ambrose (after WI test series)