GLOUCESTERSHIRE fast bowler Steve Kirby has been named in the England Lions Squad for their limited overs tour to the United Arab Emirates.
Kirby will join the 15-man party, which also includes England international Ian Bell, Somerset wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter and highly-rated Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid.
The tour will run from February 10 to 26 and Kirby could face the likes of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad as the second string Lions play England in a Twenty20 match on February 17 in Abu Dhabi.
The Lions play four other Twenty20 matches prior to that – one against the UAE and three against Pakistan A.
They then face Pakistan in three one-day internationals to complete the tour.
"We have an excellent balance of younger players who are just beginning to stake their claim for international honours, and players with plenty of experience at full international or county level in this squad," said England and Wales Cricket Board performance director David Parsons.
"I have no doubt that every member will gain a huge amount from the three-week tour.
"We ran a very successful performance programme during November and December and I am delighted that six players from this year's EPP have been selected for this tour.
"This represents an opportunity for them to test themselves against quality opposition and to press their case for a place in the England side."
England Lions squad: Andrew Gale, Ian Bell, Michael Carberry, Michael Lumb, James Taylor, Craig Kieswetter, Steven Davies, Peter Trego, James Tredwell, Adil Rashid, Sajid Mahmood, Chris Woakes, Steven Finn, Steve Kirby, David Wainright.
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