England Lions agree to tour Australia in early 2020

England Lions are set to play in Australia in the new year, after agreeing to a tour at the start of 2020.

The series is expected to feature both four-day and one-day games as England Lions renew their rivalry with Australia A.

The news comes just two days after England Lions and the Australians played out a draw in a four-day game as Australia ramp up their preparations ahead of the Ashes.

The series is set to take place between January and March 2020 and will feature two four-day games as well as several one-day games.

One of the four-day games will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 22-February 25 whilst the other four-day match is set to be staged at Hobart.

Full details on the series are to be announced in due course.

However, it has been confirmed that one of the two first-class games will be a day-night match, likely featuring a pink Kookaburra ball.

With the full England squad touring Australia less then two years after the start of the England Lions tour it could prove to be crucial preparation for any England Lions players who push themselves into the senior squad.

Former England Cricket coach Andy Flower, now coaching the England Lions, was pleased for players in the developmental squad to have the chance to develop and push for senior selection.

“We’re very grateful to Cricket Australia for hosting us next year; I know their players have benefited greatly from the recent Australia A tour to the UK and we hope to do the same Down Under,” Flower said.

“Lions tours are a great opportunity for learning and development, both for young players at the start of the international pathway and those who are pushing for selection in the senior England squads.

“They’ll learn what is required of them to become an England international, both on and off the field, in the environment of an overseas tour.” 

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