Joe Root named England Lions captain for New Zealand game
- Published
Yorkshire batsman Joe Root has been named as England Lions captain for their tour match against New Zealand.
The 22-year-old, who is likely to be named in the Test squad against the same opponents, is seen as a possible future England captain so selectors are keen to give him the experience.
Jonny Bairstow and Graham Onions are also in the team.
England's limited-overs coach Ashley Giles takes charge for the four-day match at Grace Road on 9-12 May.
Ravi Bopara, Michael Carberry and James Taylor are the other Test players to be named in the squad.
National selector Geoff Miller said: "With a busy summer of Test cricket ahead, this fixture against New Zealand is an excellent opportunity for our players to show us that they are capable of representing England in the longer format of the game.
"Joe Root will lead the side in order to assist his development as a cricketer and provide him with valuable experience of captaincy against quality opposition."
England Lions team: Root, Bairstow (both Yorkshire), Bopara (Essex), Carberry (Hampshire), Chopra (Warwickshire), Kerrigan (Lancashire), Onions (Durham), Roland-Jones (Middlesex), Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Woakes, Wright (both Warwickshire).