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I praised the England Lions yesterday but are we somewhat missing the purpose of an A team.

If we look at the South Africa A team, they have a lot of burgeoning talent. Temba Bavuma is the only big name in there and that's because he is kicking his heels due to not being included in South Africa's ODI squad.

In contrast there are players with huge amounts of international experience doing the rounds in the England Lions squad. I know that Finn has now been called up but should he have even been in the squad? Surely we know what he's capable of. The same can be said of Dawson.

Maybe they are giving games to players who might be called into the CT. It does seem to swing from time to time between being a development squad and being a shadow to the first team, and that's ok as circumstances change (and sometimes they need to ensure a touring A team get good opposition).

The Professor wrote:I praised the England Lions yesterday but are we somewhat missing the purpose of an A team.

If we look at the South Africa A team, they have a lot of burgeoning talent. Temba Bavuma is the only big name in there and that's because he is kicking his heels due to not being included in South Africa's ODI squad.

In contrast there are players with huge amounts of international experience doing the rounds in the England Lions squad. I know that Finn has now been called up but should he have even been in the squad? Surely we know what he's capable of. The same can be said of Dawson.

Liam Dawson has played a grand total of 1 Test, 1 ODI and 2 T20s.

Finn they are trying to encourage and keep involved in the system. They still see him as next in line (hence getting the call-up when Woakes got injured) and don't want to give him the impression that others are leap-frogging him.

Duckett has only played for England in the past year, Vince the same (ignoring a washed out ODI vs Ireland in 2015).

The rest are yet to represent England in any format. So Finn aside, it's a very small amount of international experience. It's a squad of burgeoning talent as well.

Sibley and Lawrence going well for the Lions in the unofficial test against Australia A.

Hundreds for both and a partnership of 219 so far after the Lions were in a bit of trouble at 55-3

Rate Lawrence very highly

Feel he has a Hildreth or Northeast tag written all over him though.

SA born Brydon Carse has a wicket to go with his unbeaten 30. Good day for him.

That's a good effort from England's unglamorous bowling combo.

indeed

this doesn't look like a weak Aussie A side

Next team
https://cricketnsw.com.au/news/nsw-x...ams/2020-02-28

Mahmood who didn't make it to the Lions with a sore knee last week is now with the England squad to SL.