Lion Woakes hopes to roar in the Middle East

FORMER Walmley CC star Chris Woakes (pictured below) has been selected for next month's England Lions tour of the United Arab Emirates.

Warwickshire all-rounder Woakes is one of six players who were members of the England Performance Programme.

He will be joined by England batting hero and Bears' team-mate Ian Bell in the squad.

England Lions will contest three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan A, plus T20 games against the UAE and England, followed by three 50 over fixtures against Pakistan A at the DSC Stadium, Dubai.

David Parsons, ECB performance director, said: "We have an excellent balance of younger players who are just beginning to stake their claim for international honours and players with plenty of experience at full international or county level in this squad.

"We ran a very successful performance programme during November and December and I am delighted that six players from this year's EPP have been selected for this tour.

"This represents a chance for them to test themselves against quality opposition and to press their case for a place in the England side."