STEEPLE Ashton cricketer James Vince has been named in the England Lions squad for their triangular series against New Zealand A and Sri Lanka A next month.

Hampshire's Vince, a former Warminster and Chippenham player, is part of the squad which will be led by former senior national coach Andy Flower. 

Flower, who stood down as England head coach following the disastrous Ashes tour last winter, remained as technical director of elite coaching at the England and Wales Cricket Board and will now play a key role in developing players for the top team.

Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has been named captain for the series.

National selector James Whitaker said: "With the Royal London One-Day International series against India rapidly approaching and next winter's tour to Sri Lanka and ICC Cricket World Cup also firmly in our sights, this is the perfect opportunity for these players to impress the selectors in the 50-over format of the game.

"We are delighted to welcome Ravi Patel from Middlesex into a Lions squad for the first time and look forward to what promises to be a closely-contested series against two highly competitive touring sides."

The Lions will open their series against New Zealand at Taunton on August 5 before facing Sri Lanka at the same ground 24 hours later.

They then go to Bristol where they face New Zealand on August 8 and Sri Lanka on August 9 before again facing Sri Lanka at Worcester on August 11 and finishing at the same ground against New Zealand the next day.

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