Ahmed and Hull Named In England Lions Squad To Face India A

Rehan Ahmed and Josh Hull have both been included in England Lions’ 15-player squad for the two upcoming four-day matches against India A.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Ahmed made his Lions debut in July 2022 and has gone on to represent the senior team on 21 occasions since, claiming 44 wickets.

He features alongside brother Farhan in an England squad for the first time, and will be available for the opening match in Canterbury before joining England’s T20 squad for their series against West Indies.

Fellow Academy graduate Hull took five wickets on his Lions bow versus Sri Lanka last August, before making his England Test debut against the same opposition the following month.

Both have played a pivotal role in helping Leicestershire to the top of the Division Two table this term, with ever-present Ahmed scoring a hundred as an opener at Old Trafford, while Hull has taken eight wickets on his return from injury during three successive victories.  

The opening match at the Spitfire Ground begins on Friday 30 May, while the second fixture will be staged at the County Ground in Northampton from Friday 6 June.

The pair’s inclusion across the Lions and IT20 squads mean they are expected to miss Leicestershire’s opening five Vitality Blast matches.

England Lions squad:

James Rew (Somerset “ captain), Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Jordan Cox (Essex), Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire), Emilio Gay (Durham), Tom Haines (Sussex), George Hill (Yorkshire), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Ajeet Singh Dale (Gloucestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

ECB Performance Director for Men’s Cricket, Ed Barney, said: “This series against a strong India A side is a huge opportunity for an exciting and highly talented group of players. It will provide an opportunity both individually and collectively to excel on the international stage as we continue to succession plan for England’s future needs.”