July 09, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1428

NOTTINGHAM, July 8: Andrew Strauss will captain England Lions, as the country's 'A' team is now known, against India in a three-day tour match at Chelmsford starting on July 13, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday.

Test opener Strauss, who has led the full England side on several occasions when the likes of Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff have been injured, will captain a team mainly made up of players pushing for international selection.

The match, at the headquarters ground of county side Essex, east of London, will be India's last before the first Test starts at Lord's on July 19.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, said in a statement:

“Andrew Strauss will captain the England Lions side in what should be a closely fought match against the touring Indian team.

“I know Andrew is delighted to be captaining the side and excited by the prospect of taking a look at India prior to the first Test.”Among those included are Strauss's Middlesex team-mate Owais Shah and fast bowler Stuart Broad, both of whom played during England's 2-1 one-day series defeat against the West Indies concluded at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

Promising Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid is in the XI as is Ravi Bopara. The Essex all-rounder, who would have featured in the three one-dayers against the West Indies but for a thigh injury, was one of England's few successes at the World Cup.

“The team selection recognises those players that have performed well in the County Championship and this match presents a great opportunity to impress the selectors,” Graveney added.

“We've selected a strong side to ensure the touring team is well and truly tested ahead of the upcoming Test series.”

The Lord's match will be the first of three Tests between India and England.

England Lions squad: Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain), Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire, wicket-keeper), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Leicestershire), Joe Denly (Kent), Graham Onions (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).—AFP