WILTSHIRE cricketer Craig Miles has been included in an 18-strong England Performance Programme (EPP) squad for this winter's tour programme.

Led by Andy Flower, the EPP winter programme will see all 18 players undertake a four-day training camp at the National Cricket Performance Centre (NCPC) in Loughborough in early November – before the squad divides into two specialist groups.

Twelve players will attend a two and a half-week long batting and spin camp in Dubai starting on November 11th while a six-strong group of fast bowlers - including former Bradon Forest pupil Miles, from Purton - will travel to South Africa to take part in a ten-day training camp in Potchefstroom under the guidance of EPP Lead Fast Bowling Coach Kevin Shine.

The two groups will then re-unite in the UAE in the last week of November for further training and match practice ahead of the England Lions T20 series against Pakistan A, which gets underway on Monday, December 7.

National selector James Whitaker said: “It is hugely important that we have a reserve of players who are ready to perform on the international stage when they get the opportunity and the EPP and the England Lions play a vital role in identifying and developing the next generation of England cricketers.

“With the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in India just six months away, the five-match T20 series for the Lions against Pakistan ‘A’ will form a particularly important part of our preparations for the tournament, ensuring that we can draw on a wider group of players who have recent experience of playing T20 cricket in sub-continental conditions. “

Former Warminster and Chippenham cricketer James Vince, who was named in England’s T20 squad to take on Pakistan this autumn earlier this week, will captain the Lions team in a five-match Twenty20 (T20) series against Pakistan A in the UAE in December.

Vince, from Steeple Ashton, will lead a strong Lions squad which includes five players with international experience; Sam Billings, Chris Jordan, Stephen Parry, Reece Topley and David Willey – plus Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari, who was named in England’s Test squad for the tour to UAE.