Mark Wood included in England Lions squad for tri-series

The 26-year old pacer Mark Wood has been included in the England Lions squad for the tri-Series featuring A teams from Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Wood has recovered from a surgery he had on his left ankle in April. He recently featured in the Natwest T20 Blast game for Durham against Leicestershire in which he claimed one wicket and given away just run-a-ball in his quota of four overs. He was also invited to participate in England’s practice session on Tuesday, ahead of the Alastair Cook-led side’s first Test against Pakistan on Thursday.

Before joining the Lions squad, Wood will play his second T20 Blast game of the season on Friday against Northamptonshire. At Lions, he will be joining the bowling trio of Saqib Mahmood, George Garton, and Sam Curran. Tom Curran and Jamie Overton are the other two pacers in the squad.

James Whitaker, the national selector, said: “The England medical staff have been working closely with Mark and Durham throughout, and a series of 50-over matches with the Lions offers a good opportunity for him to take the next steps in his return to cricket.

Also read – There should not be any problem with cricketers on Amir’s decision: Sachin Tendulkar

“He is a great example of a player who came through the Lions with an outstanding tour of South Africa in the winter of 2014-15 to make his Test debut last summer, and his inclusion should give a boost to this Lions squad, as well as be giving him the chance to work with the younger bowlers in the squad.”

England Lions squad: Dawid Malan (capt), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke, Brett D’Oliveira, Sam Billings (wk), Liam Livingstone, Liam Dawson, Tom Curran, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood, George Garton, Mark Wood, Sam Curran (for last two matches).