LONDON, April 25: Kent captain Robert Key will lead England ‘A’ against Sri Lanka in a four-day tour match at Worcester starting on May 4, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.

The batsman, who has not played a Test since January last year, heads a side which includes six players who were selected for England's winter tours to Pakistan and India.

Essex opener Alastair Cook, who successfully replaced the injured Michael Vaughan in Pakistan, has been named along with Alex Loudon, Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett, Owais Shah and Chris Tremlett, who had to withdraw from the Pakistan tour through injury.

Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read is given another chance to stake a claim for a recall to the senior side having missed out on selection this winter.

England ‘A’ squad: Robert Key (Kent, captain), Alastair Cook (Essex), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ed Joyce (Middlesex), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Alex Loudon (Warwickshire), Rikki Clarke (Surrey), Chris Read (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire); Coach: Peter Moores.—AFP