Josh De Caires: Michael Atherton's son earns first England Lions call-up

Josh De Caires has been called up to the England Lions squad for the first time for a three-week training camp in the UAE next month.

A total of 21 players have been selected, including the 21-year-old off-spinner, who enjoyed a breakthrough season for Middlesex. De Caires took 27 wickets in his eight County Championship appearances at an average of 25.59, which included a seven and eight-wicket haul.

De Caires is the son of former England captain Michael Atherton, while his maternal grandfather Frank De Caires played three Tests for the West Indies in 1930.

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Four of the group have already been capped at Test level - leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, along with seamers Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher - while Brydon Carse has 15 white-ball caps to his name.

The Lions squad also includes Hampshire fast bowler John Turner, who was named in England's recent T20 squad to face New Zealand but was denied a debut due to injury.

Leicestershire batter Rishi Patel is rewarded for notching maiden first-class and T20 centuries in 2023, while slow-left-armer Callum Parkinson - twin brother of one-time England leg-spinner Matt - has also been recognised.

George Balderson, Shoaib Bashir, James Coles, Tom Lawes, Dan Mousley and Ollie Price are the other first-timers included in the travelling party.

England men's performance director, Mo Bobat, said: "In selecting the group, we've carefully considered England's short and long-term needs in Test cricket, particularly with sub-continent challenges in mind.

"It's quite a large group and it's great that we can support player development in this way for what should be a fun camp."