Shoaib Bashir and James Rew have been named in the 16-player squad for the England Lions upcoming tour of Australia in January.

The tour features two four-day matches against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane, followed by a First Class Test against Australia A in Sydney.

England Men’s Lions Squad:

Sonny Baker (Hampshire)

Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)

Pat Brown (Derbyshire)

James Coles (Sussex)

Sam Cook (Essex)

Alex Davies (Warwickshire)

Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire)

Tom Hartley (Lancashire)

Tom Lawes (Surrey)

Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire)

Ben McKinney (Durham)

James Rew (Somerset)

Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire)

Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)

Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

John Turner (Hampshire)

The squad includes five players – Shoaib Bashir, Pat Brown, Tom Hartley, Josh Tongue and John Turner – who have all represented England at senior level.

Following strong domestic campaigns in the County Championship, Essex seamer Sam Cook, Warwickshire top-order batter Alex Davies and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew bring valuable experience to the squad. Davies, 30, who took over the captaincy at Warwickshire last season, averaged over 50 in the Championship and amassed more than 1,000 runs, including four centuries.

A key figure in Essex’s bowling attack, Cook has been a regular in Lions squads in recent years. His consistent performances saw him take 43 Championship wickets in 2024 at an average of 17.30.

Rew, 20, continues to excel as a wicketkeeper-batter in Championship cricket. He recorded 45 dismissals in 2024 and averaged 36 with the bat, including two centuries.

The squad will be coached by Andrew Flintoff, supported by Neil Killeen, Richard Dawson and Graeme Swann. Australian batting coach Trent Woodhill has also been brought in as a consultant for the tour.