Taylor wins Lions call

Date: Saturday 15 May 2010

Leicestershire batsman James Taylor is in the England Lions side to face Bangladesh at Derby next week.

The 20-year-old batsman, who played for the Lions in the UAE last winter and was also on the England Performance Programme in Pretoria, will link up with his colleagues after the Clydesdale Bank 40 game against Scotland tomorrow (1.45pm start).

Everyone at Leicestershire CCC is pleased for James and reward for all the hard work he puts into his game.

Taylor, who has made a big impression on the England selectors so far in his career, is part of a side led by England opener Alastair Cook. The match starts on Wednesday.

Moeen Ali and James Harris have also won call-ups after impressive starts to the season, while Warwickshire's Chris Woakes has also began the season in style.

National Selector Geoff Miller said: "Several of these players were involved in the England and England Lions squads this winter and have had strong performances for their counties this season.

"The Lions matches are excellent opportunities for players pushing for England places to show what they are capable of and we have selected a group of players we feel possess many of the strengths and qualities needed to succeed in international cricket."

England Lions: Alastair Cook (captain, Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Steven Davies (Surrey), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Durham), James Taylor (Leicestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

* Will Jefferson will miss tomorrow's game with Scotland with the ankle injury he sustained at Bristol. James Benning (back) and Wayne White (broken finger) are also out, while Greg Smith has been called into the squad.