News: Yardy to lead England A

Michael Yardy of Sussex will captain England A on the tour of Bangladesh next month.

There are also call-ups for Yorkshire's Adil Rashid, Nick Compton of Middlesex and Kent fast bowler Amjad Khan.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said the squad reflected the desire to put emphasis on developing youth while creating opportunity and experience for England's next level of players.

He said: “Owais Shah and Robert Key remain very much in the selectors' thoughts and their non-selection reflects the fact that they have already had extensive experience of touring with England A and the National Academy squad and provides valuable opportunities for other players.”

Peter Moores, National Academy director, added: “The squad is very exciting as it contains some new names such as Nick Compton and Adil Rashid and the recently qualified Amjad Khan.

“We are also giving an opportunity to Michael Carberry and Will Jefferson, two players who have been around for some time but have shown the attitude and ability to move on to higher honours.

“The squad will also offer another chance to Warwickshire's Alex Loudon and Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan, who have both been in the England set-up during the last 18 months.

“The rest of the squad is made up of the players who spent the first part of the winter in Perth.

"They will have a chance to show how they have developed, in the competitive phase of the programme.”

Squad

Michael Yardy (Sussex, capt)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Leicestershire)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
Nick Compton (Middlesex)
Steve Davies (Worcestershire)
Will Jefferson (Notts)
Amjad Khan (Kent)
Alex Loudon (Warwickshire)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Tom Smith (Lancashire)

Itinerary

14 Feb - England A arrive in Dhaka
17-19 Feb - Warm-up match - Mirpur
22-25 Feb v Bangladesh A - Mirpur
28 Feb-3 Mar v Bangladesh A - SCS, Bogra
6 Mar v Bangladesh A - SCS, Bogra
9 Mar v Bangladesh A, Mirpur
11 Mar v Bangladesh A, Mirpur
12 Mar - England A depart Dhaka

- ECB