England's Test captain Ben Stokes is set to take on a coaching role with the England Lions squad during their upcoming tour to the United Arab Emirates next month. The 34-year-old all-rounder is currently in the midst of recovering from an adductor injury he suffered during the fifth Ashes Test in Australia earlier this month.
Stokes to Combine Rehabilitation with Coaching Duties
Despite his injury, Stokes will be part of Andrew Flintoff's coaching staff for the white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens, which includes both T20 and 50-over matches. This arrangement allows him to continue his rehabilitation work in the UAE while contributing his expertise to the development squad.
Strong Coaching Line-Up Announced
The coaching team for the tour, which may attend either in full or partially, features several notable names. Alongside Stokes and Flintoff, it includes Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, Moeen Ali, and Amar Rashid. Notably, this marks spinner Moeen Ali's first involvement as a coach with the Lions.
Additionally, Troy Cooley will be making his first tour since returning to the England and Wales Cricket Board as the men's elite national pace bowling lead.
Squad Leadership and ECB Comments
Jordan Cox from Essex will captain the T20 squad, while Dan Mousley of Warwickshire will lead the 50-over team. Ed Barney, the ECB men's performance director, expressed enthusiasm about the selection, stating, "It's exciting to have such a strong England Lions squad selected. This group brings a real blend of proven performers, exciting talent who have performed over the winter and retains an eye on future best."
Barney further highlighted the importance of this tour, noting, "With limited 50-over cricket on offer, this series combined with tours over the remainder of 2026 will give players the opportunity to develop and deliver as we build towards the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup in South Africa."
Tour Details and Squads
The England Lions will engage in a three-match T20 series and five 50-over matches during their time in the UAE. This marks their first away white-ball series since visiting Sri Lanka in 2022.
Lions T20 Squad:
- J Cox (Essex, capt)
- S Baker (Hampshire)
- L Benkenstein (Essex)
- J Coles (Sussex)
- S Cook (Essex)
- S Currie (Hampshire)
- C Harrison (Northamptonshire)
- E Jack (Hampshire)
- S Mahmood (Lancashire)
- B McKinney (Durham)
- T Moores (Nottinghamshire)
- D Mousley (Warwickshire)
- M Revis (Yorkshire)
- W Smeed (Somerset)
- N Sowter (Durham)
- M Stanley (Lancashire)
- A Tribe (Glamorgan)
Lions 50-Over Squad:
- D Mousley (Warwickshire, capt)
- S Baker (Hampshire)
- L Benkenstein (Essex)
- S Cook (Essex)
- J Coles (Sussex)
- S Currie (Hampshire)
- C Harrison (Northamptonshire)
- E Jack (Hampshire)
- B McKinney (Durham)
- L Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire)
- M Potts (Durham)
- M Revis (Yorkshire)
- J Rew (Somerset)
- M Stanley (Lancashire)
- A Tribe (Glamorgan)
- J Wharton (Yorkshire)
