Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have joined Andrew Flintoff’s coaching staff for the England Lions as the side prepares for a return to white-ball cricket in Abu Dhabi, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The England Lions will take on Pakistan Shaheens in a three-match T20 series followed by five 50-over games, marking their first T20 fixtures since 2018 and signalling a renewed focus on international white-ball development after a three-year gap. In recent seasons, England have largely relied on county, franchise and Under-19 pathways to develop white-ball talent, making this tour a significant shift in approach.
Stokes’ involvement forms part of his rehabilitation from a groin injury sustained during the Ashes, while Moeen continues his transition into coaching after recently returning to domestic cricket with Yorkshire.
Flintoff’s backroom staff for the tour also includes Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, Amar Rashid and Troy Cooley, providing a strong blend of experience and specialist expertise. The tour marks a reunion for Flintoff and Stokes, who previously worked together at Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
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Dan Mousley will captain the 50-over side, which includes James Rew and Matthew Potts. Potts is set to feature following a difficult fifth Ashes Test and will be looking to rediscover form during the tour. The Lions last played a 50-over match in early 2023, underlining the importance of this extended white-ball schedule.
Following the Abu Dhabi leg, the England Lions are scheduled to host South Africa A and play a warm-up match against Sri Lanka ahead of a white-ball tour in September. The series are aimed at building depth and providing competitive exposure to players on the fringes of senior international selection.
T20 squad:
Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox (capt), Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Saqib Mahmood, Ben McKinney, Tom Moores, Dan Mousley, Matt Revis, Will Smeed, Nathan Sowter, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe.
50-over squad:
Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley (capt), Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Matt Revis, James Rew, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe, James Wharton.
