England Lions Announce 18-Player Squad for Australia Tour with Four Test-Capped Players

Rehan Ahmed, a 21-year-old leg-spinner who was left out of England's main Ashes squad, has been named in the England Lions' 18-player squad for the winter tour of Australia. The Lions, coached by Andrew Flintoff, will provide backup and warm-up opposition for the senior England team, including a three-day warm-up match against them in Perth before the first Ashes Test. Alongside Ahmed, wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox and pace bowler Sonny Baker are considered likely reinforcements for the senior squad if needed. The Lions tour will also include matches against a Cricket Australia XI, a Prime Minister's XI, and Australia A, ending on December 8 alongside the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The squad features four Test-capped players and promising talents such as Somerset's James and Thomas Rew, as well as Glamorgan's Ben Kellaway and Asa Tribe. Rehan's younger brother, Farhan Ahmed, will captain England's Under-19s on their Caribbean tour, preparing for the Under-19 World Cup.