Andy Flower to lead Lions against Sri Lanka and Kiwis

Andy Flower will lead England Lions in their triangular series next month (Getty)

Andy Flower will lead England Lions in their triangular series against New Zealand A and Sri Lanka A next month.

Flower, who stood down as England head coach following the disastrous winter Ashes tour, became technical director of elite coaching, playing a key role in developing players for the top team.

Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has been named captain, hoping to press his claims for inclusion in next year’s World Cup squad and add to his two ODI caps.

Middlesex paceman Steven Finn will also be looking to impress the selectors after his eye-catching season so far following a difficult Ashes tour. Ravi Bopara and Harry Gurney will hope to keep their places for the ODI series against India beginning on 25 August after featuring against Sri Lanka, while Jonny Bairstow and Stephen Parry look to re-establish themselves.

England’s Chris Jordan boosted his chances of playing in the third Test against India starting on Sunday by helping Sussex to a 226-run win over Warwickshire.

Sussex bowler Chris Jordan took three wickets yesterday (Getty Images)

Jordan took 3 for 38 as he ripped through the top order at Horsham after his side declared on 245 for 9, a lead of 325. Tim Ambrose made 56, but the visitors were all out for 99 soon after tea, with another recent England player, spinner James Tredwell, taking 4 for 7. The last four wickets fell for no runs in six balls.

Mahela Jayawardene, who is due to retire from Test cricket next month, hit a classy unbeaten century to help Sri Lanka close on 305 for 5 on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Colombo. In a chanceless six hours, Jayawardene finished on 140 not out made off 225 balls, including one six and 16 fours. It was his 34th Test hundred. Sri Lanka are bidding to level the two-match series.

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

Fixtures 6 Aug v Sri Lanka A, Taunton; 8 Aug v New Zealand, Bristol; 11 Aug v Sri Lanka A, Worcester; 12 Aug v New Zealand A, Worcester.