Notinghamshire's Samit Patel named in England Lions squad

Patel has been in fine form for Notts this season

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel will return to international cricket this month after being called up for England Lions duty against Sri Lanka.

The 26-year-old has not featured for England for three years because of question marks over his fitness.

But Patel has been named in a strong 12-man squad for the four-day match at Derbyshire on 19-22 May.

Durham bowler Graham Onions returns to an international squad after a 15-month absence through injury.

Onions is joined by three members of the Ashes winning squad, with Middlesex duo Steven Finn and Eoin Morgan and Yorkshire fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad all earning call-ups.

Essex batsman Ravi Bopara has also been selected, and both he and Morgan will have designs on Paul Collingwood's Test place following the Durham star's retirement.

Somerset's James Hildreth will captain a side that includes seven members of the Lions squad that toured the West Indies in January.

Chief selector Geoff Miller said: "It has been very pleasing to see many of the players selected for the England Lions squad last winter make good starts to the domestic season and they have been rewarded with an opportunity to play a strong Sri Lankan side and push for further international honours."

England Lions squad:

James Hildreth (Somerset) (Capt), Jimmy Adams (Hampshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire) James Taylor (Leicestershire).