England Lions announce squads for South Africa series, 17-year-old Rehan Ahmed earns maiden call-up

After a spectacular season for Leicestershire in the T20 Blast, 17-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has earned his maiden call-up from the England Lions for the two upcoming 50-over games against South Africa who are visiting next week. At the Under-19 World Cup this year, Ahmed excelled for England, taking 12 wickets in four matches while demonstrating his razor-sharp googly.

The most successful right-arm legspinner in the T20 Blast group stages, Ahmed claimed 19 wickets and will have a chance to play as one of the Lions team’s two frontline spinners. With Matt Parkinson earning a spot in the primary white-ball teams against India in the absence of Adil Rashid, who is unavailable owing to his visit to the Hajj, England are looking to test the depth of its wrist spin unit as Warwickshire’s Jake Lintott also makes his way into the team.

The Somerset captain, Tom Abell, will be in charge of a team that includes Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, and David Payne, three individuals who have already earned full England caps. 20-year-old top-order batter Will Smeed might as well finally earn his List A debut after a spectacular start to his T20 career.

After two complete seasons without taking part in a 50-over game, Sam Hain will have the opportunity to demonstrate his recent advancements at No. 3. Having the best List A average of all time, Hain has recently shown progress in T20 cricket, sharply raising his strike rate.

The 33-year-old Gloucestershire change-up specialist Benny Howell may make his Lions debut. The group is completed by Sam Cook and Derbyshire’s beanpole pacer George Scrimshaw, who has been a frequent wicket-taker in the Blast this season. Stephen Eskinazi and Adam Hose are the other batters in the team.

The second match at New Road will be considered as a List A game

“It’s always great when we can bring some of our best and highest potential players together, particularly to take on senior international opposition. The two games provide an excellent opportunity to continue to grow our depth and assess players’ readiness for England,” said Mo Bobat, ECB‘s performance director.

To aid South Africa’s preparation for the ODI series, the ECB stated that the first game, which will be played at Taunton on July 12, will “permit full squad participation.” However, the second game, which will be played at New Road, will be considered an 11-a-side List-A game.

England Lions squad: Tom Abell (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton (wk), Sam Cook, Ben Duckett, Stephen Eskinazi, Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Benny Howell, Jake Lintott, David Payne, George Scrimshaw, Will Smeed

Schedule:

July 12 – 1st 50-over match, Taunton

July 14 – 2nd 50-over match, New Road