Rocky Flintoff picked by father Andrew for England Lions tour of Australia

Rocky Flintoff has been handed an official call-up to the England Lions squad for subsequent month’s tour of Australia, the place his fortunes will as soon as once more be overseen by his father, Andrew.

Flintoff, 16, was a last-minute addition to the Lions’ journey to South Africa earlier this month – his father’s maiden tour as head coach – the place he featured within the one-off tour match in opposition to a CSA Invitational XI in Cape City, making 4 from three balls in his solely innings.

His inclusion continues a startling rise, which started together with his precocious shows for Lancashire 2nd XI in April, continued by means of his multi-format debuts for England’s Beneath-19 groups in opposition to Sri Lanka in July, and culminating in his first skilled contract with Lancashire in August, adopted by his first-class debut.

Now he has been included in a Lions tour that might provide a number of pointers for the senior squad’s problem in subsequent 12 months’s Ashes, not least for the incumbent Take a look at spinner, Shoaib Bashir, for whom this can be a possibility to fine-tune his recreation in Australian situations.

Bashir, 21, was himself fast-tracked by England for the tour of India in January, and has performed in 15 of England’s 17 Assessments in 2024. He’ll journey beneath the tutelage of Graeme Swann, the offspinner who performed a key position in England’s final Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11, and may have the chance to play in three aggressive fixtures in Brisbane and Sydney, culminating in an unofficial Take a look at in opposition to Australia A. Lancashire’s left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who featured in all 5 Assessments in India however has not been picked since, may also make the journey.

Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, had flagged the chance of Bashir’s inclusion within the Lions again in October, with the sense rising from his latest shows in Pakistan and New Zealand, the place he took 17 wickets at 50.58 in six Assessments, that his recreation has not progressed fairly as shortly as England had hoped.

Shoaib Bashir is ecstatic after dismissing Tom Blundell, New Zealand vs England, 2nd Test, Wellington, 3rd day, December 8, 2024

Shoaib Bashir may play a key position in subsequent winter’s Ashes•Getty Photos

“For Bash, the chance to have the ability to get some expertise in these situations might be actually very important for us,” McCullum mentioned in October, on the conclusion of the Pakistan tour. “That is the fantastic thing about the Lions programme, you might have the chance to get some cricket into guys. With Freddie there as nicely now and answerable for the Lions, he is acquired a really related view on the sport to what I’ve acquired, so there will be consistency of message and that is one thing that we have got to have a look at.”

Among the many quick bowlers, Josh Tongue is a notable inclusion. He made two Take a look at appearances at Lord’s in 2023, the place he impressed together with his sharp tempo and skill to generate steep bounce from an excellent size, however has been sidelined by damage for lengthy durations, together with a setback that dominated him out of a doable white-ball debut within the Caribbean in November.

He has been handed a call-up alongside John Turner, one other fast bowler who’s able to 90mph tempo, and Essex’s Sam Prepare dinner – one of the vital prolific bowlers in county cricket, however whose alternatives had beforehand been restricted by James Anderson’s presence within the England set-up.

Josh Hull, the 20-year-old Leicestershire left-armer who made a shock Take a look at debut in opposition to Sri Lanka in September, has not been included in the principle squad however will journey to Australia as he continues his rehabilitation from a quad damage.

Among the many batters, Alex Davies is rewarded for a powerful season with Warwickshire, for whom he made 4 centuries in his maiden season as captain, whereas Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batter James Rew can be included.

deliver helpful expertise to the squad. Davies, 30, who took over the captaincy at Warwickshire final season, averaged over 50 within the Championship and amassed greater than 1,000 runs, together with 4 centuries.

England Males’s Efficiency Director, Ed Barney, mentioned: “We’ve rewarded gamers who’ve confirmed themselves at this stage and people with vital potential. Matches and excursions of Australia are at all times vital and we relish the chance to check ourselves in opposition to high quality opposition. This tour permits us to judge performances, refine preparation and proceed working with among the greatest rising expertise within the nation.

“I am additionally delighted to see Josh Tongue returning to aggressive cricket. Josh has had a difficult time with accidents however is progressing nicely and can profit from this tour as he steps up his preparation. We hope this marks the beginning of a affluent and impactful return to cricket for him in 2025.”

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