Several promising youngsters from England have been picked for the four-day game that will be played from Wednesday, August 14.

The series will mark Sri Lanka’s preparations for the three-match Test series against England, beginning a week later, on August 21, at Old Trafford.

England pick plenty of exciting players

Right-arm pacer Eddie Jack, who made his domestic debut last year, earns his maiden Lions call-up and is joined by his under-19 teammates Farhan Ahmed, Ben McKinney and Hamza Shaikh. While McKinney captained England in the under-19 World Cup earlier this year, Farhan, the younger brother of leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, recently signed a multi-year professional deal with Nottinghamshire.

England have announced a 14-player Test squad to take on Sri Lanka.

Zak Crawley (finger) and Dillon Pennington (hamstring) both miss out through injury.

Olly Stone returns for the first time since June 2021, while Essex’s Jordan Cox earns a maiden call-up. pic.twitter.com/I5urcf2kJH

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 4, 2024

Kasey Aldridge, Ollie Price and James Rew return to the squad after they were picked for the tour of India at the start of the year.

Zaman Akhter, the 25-year-old seamer, who has taken 30 wickets in 13 first-class games and is currently playing for Gloucestershire, has also been picked for the first time.

Josh Hull, the left-arm who has been name-checked by England's managing director Rob Key, has also been selected. Hull, a 6 foot 7 left-armer has been clocking close to 90mph in The Hundred.

England Lions squad for the Sri Lanka four-day game

Farhan Ahmed, Zaman Akhter, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Lyndon James, Ben McKinney, Ollie Price, James Rew, Hamza Shaikh, Ajeet Singh Dale, Rob Yates

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