London, England – English international players Ravi Bopara, Steve Finn and Craig Kieswetter have been named by the ECB on a strong England Lions squad to participate in the WICB Regional 4 Day Tournament which will be played in the Caribbean from February 4th to April 11th.

Jamaican born pacer Maurice Chambers is also in the squad which includes Adil Rashid and is captained by James Hildreth.

Finn who is currently in the England Ashes squad will participate in the first half of the tour and will thereafter be replaced by Chris Woakes.

England national selector, Geoff Miller, said: “The tour of the West Indies gives those players who have been working hard throughout the first part of the winter an opportunity to test themselves in a competitive environment and to continue to put forward a case for inclusion in England squads over the summer.

“The England Performance Programme and England Lions tours are often crucial stages in a player’s development and offer coaches and selectors an insight into whether players have the potential to develop into world class cricketers and thrive on the international stage,” Miller explained.

“This is a balanced squad combining players who have had considerable exposure to international and first class cricket with younger players who have already shown considerable promise.”

England Lions arrive in the Caribbean on January 24th.

ENGLAND LIONS SQUAD

James Hildreth (Somerset) (Captain)

Jimmy Adams (Hampshire)

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Ravi Bopara (Essex)

Danny Briggs (Hampshire)

Maurice Chambers (Essex)

Jade Dernbach (Surrey)

Steve Finn (Middlesex) (first half of tour only)

Andrew Gale (Yorkshire)

James Harris (Glamorgan)

Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)

Adam Lyth (Yorkshire)

Liam Plunkett (Durham)

Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

James Taylor (Leicestershire)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) (second half of tour only)