Rising Stars and Emerging Talent Set to Shine in Australia

A new England Lions squad has been announced for the upcoming tour of Australia, with Rehan Ahmed, Jordan Cox, and Sonny Baker among the standout names selected. The group will shadow the senior team and provide backup and warm-up opposition ahead of the Ashes series. Rehan Ahmed, a leg-spinner who earned his fifth and final Test cap in Pakistan in October 2024, missed out on the main Ashes squad and will now join the Lions group. The squad includes four players with prior Test experience, such as Tom Hartley, Matthew Fisher, and Josh Hull.

Ahmed, who is only 21, has been a key figure in England’s domestic cricket, and his inclusion in the Lions squad highlights his potential as a future Test player. He has been instrumental in Yorkshire’s success in recent seasons and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Graeme Swann and Adil Rashid due to his leg-spin and control. His performance in the Pakistan Test series, where he took crucial wickets, has further solidified his reputation as a rising star in English cricket.

Jordan Cox, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Essex, had been expected to make his Test debut in New Zealand last year but suffered a broken thumb, giving an opportunity to Jacob Bethell. Cox is now seen as a strong contender for a call-up if needed during the Ashes. His domestic form has been consistent, and he has been praised for his composure behind the stumps and ability to score runs in crucial moments.

Sonny Baker, the 22-year-old pace bowler from Hampshire, has had mixed performances in his limited international appearances, including a costly one-day international debut against South Africa and a Twenty20 match against Ireland. However, he is highly rated and is set to be awarded a central contract for the upcoming year. His pace and swing have been noted by coaches, and he is expected to play a key role in the Lions’ pace attack.

The Lions squad, coached by England legend Andrew Flintoff, also includes promising batting brothers James and Thomas Rew from Somerset. The pace attack features a mix of youth and experience, with Eddie Jack and Mitchell Stanley joining Baker and Josh Hull. Glamorgan’s Ben Kellaway, an ambidextrous spinner, and batter Asa Tribe, who has represented Jersey internationally, have also been rewarded with their first call-ups.

The Lions will play a three-day match against the England senior team in Australia, followed by games against Cricket Australia XI, a Prime Minister’s XI, and Australia A. Their tour will conclude on 8 December, the final day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

In a related development, Rehan Ahmed’s younger brother, Farhan, has been named captain of the England Under-19s squad for their tour of the Caribbean in October. However, Flintoff’s son Rocky, 17, has not been considered for either the Lions or Under-19s due to an unspecified injury.

This tour is expected to provide a valuable opportunity for the Lions players to gain experience and potentially earn a spot in the Ashes squad, especially if any senior players suffer injuries or form issues during the series.