England Lions challenged to stake claim for Ashes squad: "It is a huge opportunity"

NICK HOWSON: Performance director Mo Bobat says the 14-strong group are all in contention to move across to the main squad while on tour with the Test squad in Australia

England Lions group confirmed for Australia tour in support of Ashes squad

England will have no hesitation dipping into the Lions squad for the Ashes in the event of injuries or players impressing.

The tourists have confirmed a 14-strong group will travel for intra-squad matches and one tour game in support of the 17 already selected to face Australia this winter.

Based in Queensland ahead of the first Test at The Gabba (December 8-12), all players will have the chance to woo Test captain Joe Root. They are scheduled to return home from December 16 after playing Australia A, but ECB performance director Mo Bobat says it is highly likely the best performers will stay behind.

"If anything was required from an England perspective we're going to have to use the resources around us," he said.

"That might be extra players from the Lions, players hanging around from the Big Bash.

"For any player who is in and around that zone and might be in the country, they become playing resources that we may have to call on.

Bobat added: "That'll definitely be something that motivates those players. There will be a couple of those no doubt - and I know this from having had a couple of conversations - that will be disappointed not to be in the full Ashes squad. 

"We've picked an Ashes squad that is 17 in size, some people might have thought we'd announce a bigger squad than that.

^{Mo Bobat was appointed performance director in October 2019}

"What that ultimately does is it gives a chance to reflect, a bit of flexibility as well and if two or three of the players really stand out on this Lions experience that will give both Joe Root and Chris Silverwood something to think about. It is a huge opportunity. There are players there that are really exciting and there is a chance."

Root's side will attempt to prepare to win back the Ashes with two intra-squad matches, the second of which is hoped to have first-class status. The standard of opponent prior to the last series down under - England played a Western Australia XI and three games against a Cricket Australia XI - has led to the decision to prepare in-house.

Stuart Broad is still recovering from a torn calf but is described as "making excellent progress" while the fitness history of Mark Wood, England's only true express pacer in the squad in the absence of Jofra Archer and Olly Stones, means it would be prudent to have alternative options.

"History would tell me there is bound to be some injuries," said Bobat, who was installed in October 2019. "I can't think of having 31 cricketers in the off-season staying fit throughout the period. That would be a huge stroke of luck if that happens.

"It is inevitable that something will happen and we'll have to react to that so it is good that we've got as many options as possible. 

"Ultimately it will be down to Chris Silverwood and Joe Root's observations too. There is a likelihood that a player can put forward a compelling case and end up being around for the Ashes. 

"You can add someone to a squad and extend the squad or have someone around who is not officially added and they hang on. There is a real opportunity for those players to show what they can do in front of the England captain."

^{Liam Livingstone averages 11 in first-class cricket in 2021}

Alongside the new call-ups such as Warwickshire pair Liam Norwell and Rob Yates, who led the Bears to the LV=Insurance County Championship title and Bob Willis Trophy double, others can consider themselves unfortunate.

Liam Livingstone, who has played eight first-class matches since the end of 2019, is a notable omission. Though the Lancashire star will play for England in the men's T20 World Cup before participating in the T10 League, he has ruled out returning to the BBL in order to spend Christmas at home. His absence from the Lions group all but ends his Ashes hopes but it is clear England are interested in what he can add to the red-ball team.

"Liam is clearly a player of high potential and he's had a fantastic year in white-ball cricket," Bobat explained.

"From a red-ball perspective, you felt as though there were more players ahead of him now.

"He's done incredibly well in white-ball cricket. Some of his red-ball numbers in the last few years might not be what he's wanted. He's probably missed a bit of cricket as well in an around England environments which players have wrestled with. 

"Do we feel there is a player there across all disciplines, batting, bowling a fielding? Absolutely. 

"He's someone we'll keep having an interest in, I don't think that is going to change.

"There was every temptation to pick someone like Liam. But at the same time, you've got to do right by him and the right thing based on the other players available and that is the decision we've gone with."