Derbyshire opener Ben Slater and all-rounder Matt Critchley have been selected for an ECB XI squad to face India A at Emerald Headingley on Sunday 17 June.
The pair impressed in Derbyshire’s recent Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, which saw the Falcons finish fifth in the North Group with four wins.
Slater was in prolific form at the top of the order, ending the campaign with 386 runs at an average of 55.14 and a top-score of 109 not out against local rivals Yorkshire Vikings.
Leg spinner and powerful hitter Critchley took eight wickets with best figures of 3-35, following on from an impressive 50-over campaign in the winter which saw him star for England Lions against West Indies A.
The 50-over fixture at Emerald Headingley will see the county circuit’s up-and-coming players face Rahul Dravid’s India A in preparation for their Tri-Series against England Lions and West Indies A, which starts in Derby at The 3aaa County Ground on Friday 22 June.
The 12-man squad includes five players who were involved on ECB Pathway Programmes last winter and also the North-South Series: Alex Davies, the Lancashire wicketkeeper-batsman who toured with the Lions and played for the North; Zak Chappell and Tom Barber, who trained with the Pace Programme; and Matt Critchley and Delray Rawlins, who received ECB Overseas Placements.
Alex Davies has been appointed captain, and will also keep wicket.
Jon Lewis, who will coach the ECB XI, said: “It’s an exciting-looking squad that we’ve been able to put together at short notice, and a great opportunity for all the lads to make an impression against international opposition.”
Tom Barber (Middlesex), Zak Chappell (Leicestershire), Matt Critchley (Derbyshire), Alex Davies c wk (Lancashire), Harry Finch (Sussex), Ben Slater (Derbyshire), George Hankins (Gloucestershire), Ryan Higgins (Gloucestershire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Callum Parkinson (Leicestershire), Delray Rawlins (Sussex), Oliver Robinson (Sussex).
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