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Cricket

Hoggard included in Lions squad, Key named captain

29/04/2008

Seamer Matthew Hoggard has been named in a strong 12-man England Lions squad to play New Zealand in a tour warm-up match next Thursday.

And in-form Kent batsman Rob Key, who made an unbeaten 178 in the first day of the Black Caps' first warm-up game of the tour in Canterbury yesterday, has been named as the side's captain.

The Lions squad to play at the Rose Bowl next week includes eight players with experience in the senior England team at either Test or one-day international level.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior will get the chance to impress the selectors, while Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara and Middlesex middle-order man Owais Shah are also among the 12 names.

Young Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid, Durham's Graham Onions, Nottinghamshire's Graeme Swann and Hampshire paceman Chris Tremlett are among the players in the bowling ranks.

"In choosing this squad we were keen to show consistency by giving further opportunities to players who were involved with either the Test or one-day squad during the winter or the England Lions," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"There is intense competition for places in the senior squad at present and all of these players will be keen to make an impression on the selectors ahead of the international season."

On the two main stories surrounding the squad selection, Miller continued: "Robert Key enjoyed an excellent season for Kent last year, was recently named in the England performance squad and he will bring his experience of leading his county to the captain's role.

"Matthew Hoggard was left out of the last two Test Matches in New Zealand but he is a fighter and he will not want to give up his England place easily.

"He has started the season with a strong performance for Yorkshire [taking eight wickets against Hampshire last week] and this will be another chance for him to show what he is capable of against an international side."

Full 12-man England Lions squad:

Robert Key (Kent, captain)
Ravinder Bopara (Essex)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Steven Kirby (Gloucestershire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)