Gale, Rashid and Wainwright named in Lions squad

The Lions are set to face England and the UAE in a Twenty20 match each, and Pakistan A in three more as well as three 50-over internationals.

Twenty-six-year-old left-hander Gale, named last month to captain his native county, will lead a 15-man touring party which also contains Test batsman Ian Bell.

His Yorkshire team-mates Adil Rashid and David Wainwright are also in the squad.

Somerset's South Africa-born wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter, only just qualified to play for England, and 20-year-old Leicestershire batsman James Taylor are among the others named in the squad today.

Notable for his omission, meanwhile, is Ravi Bopara - dropped from England's Test and one-day international teams last year.

Gale's leadership potential has been spotted at a young age.

"Obviously, Yorkshire have seen something in him," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"He's shown us, in the performance squad, what he's capable of doing - at Loughborough and out here in South Africa.

"He's ticked an awful lot of boxes, and we've given him the opportunity. Good luck to him.

"It's the real start of his international career. We'll see how he goes."

Gale will take charge of a squad featuring emerging players and others with more experience.

Miller added: "We need to find out about some of these young players, stepping up from domestic cricket.

"There are some others fighting to get back. It is a nice mix."

England Lions squad to tour UAE from Feb 10-26: AW Gale (captain, Yorkshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), MA Carberry (Hampshire), MJ Lumb (Hampshire), JWA Taylor (Leicestershire), C Kieswetter (wkt, Somerset), SM Davies (wkt, Surrey), PD Trego (Somerset), JC Tredwell (Kent), AU Rashid (Yorkshire), SI Mahmood (Lancashire), CR Woakes (Warwickshire), ST Finn (Middlesex), SP Kirby (Gloucestershire), DJ Wainwright (Yorkshire).