Atherton's son De Caires earns first Lions call-up

Josh de Caires began his career as a top-order batter but also impressed as an off-spinner during the 2023 season

Josh de Caires, the son of former England captain Michael Atherton, has earned his first call up to the England Lions squad for a winter training camp.

Among those picked for the first time are Gloucestershire all-rounder Ollie Price and Leicester batter Rishi Patel.

The camp will be held in the United Arab Emirates from 16 November to 7 December and will primarily focus on red-ball cricket.

De Caires began his career as a top-order batter like his father, but found success as an off-spinner during the 2023 season with Middlesex, including taking seven and eight-wicket hauls in the County Championship.

His maternal grandfather Frank de Caires played three Tests for the West Indies in 1930.

Slow left-armer Callum Parkinson - twin brother of England spinner Matt, who last played for the national side in July 2022 - is also in the squad for the first time, along with Hampshire fast bowler John Turner.

George Balderson, Shoaib Bashir, James Coles, Tom Lawes and Dan Mousley are the other new faces.

Four players in the squad have Test experience - Matthew Fisher, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue and Rehan Ahmed - while Brydon Carse has played 12 one-day internationals and three T20s.

Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson is included after an impressive season averaging 58.19 in their Division Two-winning campaign.

The camp coincides with the senior side playing a white-ball series in the West Indies.

"The camp will provide an excellent opportunity for the players to develop their red ball game and allow us to learn more about them as people and players," said England men's performance director Mo Bobat.

"In selecting the group, we've carefully considered England's short and long-term needs in Test cricket, particularly with sub-continent challenges in mind."

England Lions squad: Rehan Ahmed, George Balderson, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Bohannon, Brydon Carse, Jack Carson, James Coles, Josh De Caires, Matthew Fisher, Tom Hartley, Lyndon James, Tom Lawes, Dan Mousley, Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Rishi Patel, Ollie Price, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, John Turner.