Michael Lumb and Michael Carberry have been named in the England Lions squad making a trip to the UAE in February. The Lions will play three Twenty20s and three 50 over matches against Pakistan’s A side, as well as a Twenty20 against the full England team as part of their preparation for ICC World T20 tournament in April.

While Carberry’s inclusion in the squad was almost a given, Lumb’s name on the list was more of a surprise.  Although he was part of England’s 30 man preliminary squad for the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy he was not included in this winter’s performance programmes.

Michael is understandably delighted to be back in the frame again. “When Chalky mentioned that they [England] were thinking about me it was a wonderful surprise. I was disappointed not to be involved over the winter, but I have been so busy that selection for the Lions was the last thing on my mind.” Michael has been fully occupied arranging his wedding and, in announcing the squad the day after the happy event, the ECB has given him the perfect present.

Michael Lumb came to the England selectors’ attention after a superb 2009 season.  As well as his tally of 1,000 First Class runs he made 676 in List A games and 442 in Twenty20, including an incredible 124* off 69 balls against Essex Eagles at The Rose Bowl. He was the second highest run scorer in the 2009 Twenty20 Cup and his 124* was the third highest score in the competition’s history. Fellow Hampshire Lion Michael Carberry was alongside him that night, making a relatively sedate 62.

The full schedule for the England Lions tour is as follows:

10 February 2010 UAE v England Lions T20 Match, Sharjah
12 February 2010 1st T20 England Lions v Pakistan A,  Sharjah
14 February 2010 2nd T20 England Lions v Pakistan A,   Sharjah
16 February 2010 3rd T20 England  Lions v Pakistan A,   Abu Dhabi
17 February 2010 England Lions v England T20,  Abu Dhabi
22 February 2010 1st  50-over match England Lions v Pakistan A,   Dubai International Cricket Stadium
24 February 2010 2nd 50-over match England Lions v Pakistan A,   Dubai International Cricket Stadium
26 February 2010 3rd 50-over match England Lions v Pakistan A,   Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The full England Lions squad is:

Andrew Gale (capt, Yorkshire )
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
Michael Lumb (Hampshire)
James Taylor (Leicestershire)
Craig Kieswetter ( Somerset )
Steven Davies ( Surrey )
Peter Trego ( Somerset )
James Tredwell ( Kent )
Adil Rashid ( Yorkshire )
Sajid Mahmood ( Lancashire )
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire)
David Wainwright ( Yorkshire )
 

Jane Cable
 

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