ESSEX’S Ravi Bopara has been named in the England Lions triangular series against New Zealand A and Sri Lanka A next month.

The Lions will be led by former England head coach Andy Flower who stood down as England head coach following the disastrous Ashes tour last winter, but remained as technical director of elite coaching at the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Bopara, who should be selected for the senior one-day international series against India that follows the triangular tournament, will be joined in the squad by Middlesex paceman Steven Finn who will be looking to impress the selectors after his eye-catching season so far following a disastrous Ashes tour in the winter.

Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has been named captain for the series and will be hoping to press his claims for inclusion in the squad for next year's World Cup and add to his two ODI caps so far.

National selector James Whitaker said: "With the Royal London One-Day International series against India rapidly approaching and next winter's tour to Sri Lanka and ICC Cricket World Cup also firmly in our sights, this is the perfect opportunity for these players to impress the selectors in the 50-over format of the game.”

The Lions will open their campaign against Sri Lanka A at Taunton on August 6 before facing New Zealand A at Bristol on August 8.

They then face Sri Lanka A at Worcester on August 11 and finish at the same ground against New Zealand A the next day.

England Lions squad: Taylor (c), Bairstow, Bopara, Finn, Parry, Gurney, Hales, Overton, Roy, Patel, Smith, Vince, Willey.