Leicestershire's James Taylor named as England Lions captain

Taylor scored 76 for the Lions against Sri Lanka in May

Leicestershire opener James Taylor has been named as England Lions captain for the first time for the four-day game and one-day series against Sri Lanka A.

The 21-year-old is part of a 12-strong squad for the four-day match in Scarborough, which starts on 2 August.

Nottinghamshire's Alex Hales, Durham's Scott Borthwick and Yorkshire's Joe Root are three of five players who are named in the squad for the first time.

Taylor will also skipper a 12-strong squad for a three game one-day series.

The squad, for the games on 12, 14 and 16 August, includes England one-day fringe players Ravi Bopara (Essex), Steven Finn (Middlesex) and Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes is back in the squad after recovering from a finger injury sustained eight weeks ago.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "The England Lions series against Sri Lanka A is an important opportunity for those younger players to gain valuable experience against international opposition and push for further involvement in England programmes this winter.

"The series will also give players a chance to press for inclusion in the upcoming NatWest Series against India."

England Lions squad vs Sri Lanka A, Scarborough 2-5 August:

James Taylor (Leicestershire, captain), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Jack Brooks (Northants), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire).

England Lions one-day squad vs Sri Lanka A - 12, 14, 16 August:

James Taylor (Leicestershire, captain), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Chris Nash (Sussex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).