ECB makes changes in Lions squad for Duleep Trophy

Injuries to Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steven Davies and his county colleague Kabir Ali has necessitated the England and Wales Cricket Board to make changes in the England Lions Squad to take part in the Duleep Trophy tournament to be held in West Zone centres.

Essex wicketkeeper James Foster and pace bowlers Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire) and Charlie Shreck (Nottinghamshire) have been called up to the squad, according to an ECB media release.

Hopes that ace England all rounder Andrew Flintoff, recovering from ankle surgery, will be joining the squad have been dashed.

But he still might make it to India as a member of his county Lancashire on its pre-English season visit later to this country and Dubai.

The Lions, with two Test players in Monty Panesar and Liam Plunkett in their ranks, are due to reach Mumbai on Thursday. 

They are to play their first league tie in the tournament at Vadodara against Central Zone from February 3-6 followed by another tie against West at the same venue.

In case they qualify for the final they would travel to Mumbai to play it from February 19-23.

Revised England Lions squad: Michael Yardy (Sussex, capt), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Joe Denly (Kent), James Foster (Essex), James Hildreth (Somerset), Ed Joyce (Middlesex), Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire), Graham Onions (Durham), Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Alan Richardson (Middlesex), Charlie Shreck (Nottighamshire and Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).