Rocky Flintoff named in England Lions squad for Australia tour

Shoaib Bashir and Josh Tongue will get a taste of what lies in store in next winter’s Ashes series after being picked for the England Lions tour of Australia next month, with 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff also included.

The Lions have today announced a 16-man squad for the trip, which features a first-class “Test” against Australia A in Sydney, as well as two four-day games against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane.

England have identified Bashir as their likely first-choice spinner for next year’s senior tour but the 21-year-old remains short on experience and will make the trip on the back of Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand this winter.

Tongue, meanwhile, impressed in making his Test debut against Ireland last summer and went on to feature in the Second Ashes Test at Lord’s, but has not played competitive cricket since August 2023 because of injury.

Flintoff, whose father, the former England all-rounder Andrew, will lead the side, is a surprise pick having only been called up to the recent Lions training camp in South Africa as a late addition.

Pat Brown, John Turner and spinner Tom Hartley, who played a prominent role in last winter’s Test series in India, are the other players capped by England to be included.

Essex seamer Sam Cook, considered unlucky not to make his debut in the aftermath of James Anderson’s retirement this summer, is also picked, as is Warwickshire captain Alex Davies.

Seamer Josh Hull, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka this summer, will travel with the squad to continue his rehabilitation from the quad injury that ruled him out of England’s series in Pakistan in October.

“We have rewarded players who have proven themselves at this level and those with significant potential,” said England performance director Ed Barney. “Matches and tours of Australia are always important and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against quality opposition.

"This tour allows us to evaluate performances, refine preparation and continue working with some of the best emerging talent in the country.”

England Lions squad

Sonny Baker (Hampshire)

Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)

Pat Brown (Derbyshire)

James Coles (Sussex)

Sam Cook (Essex)

Alex Davies (Warwickshire)

Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire)

Tom Hartley (Lancashire)

Tom Lawes (Surrey)

Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire)

Ben McKinney (Durham)

James Rew (Somerset)

Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire)

Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)

Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

John Turner (Hampshire)