A trio of Essex Men’s players have been selected for the England Lions white-ball tour of the United Arab Emirates at the end of February and beginning of March.
Jordan Cox, Sam Cook, and Luc Benkenstein have all been called up to face Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE.
The series will feature a 17-player squad for a three-match T20 series, followed by a 16-player squad for five 50-over matches.
Essex Men’s wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox has been named Lions captain for the T20 series, which also includes teammates Sam Cook and Luc Benkenstein, and begins on February 20.
All-rounder Benkenstein and Men's vice-captain Cook will remain with the squad for the 50-over series, which concludes on March 9 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Jordan Cox - Captain (Essex)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
James Coles (Sussex)
Sam Cook (Essex)
Scott Currie (Hampshire)
Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Mousley (Warwickshire)
Matt Revis (Yorkshire)
Will Smeed (Somerset)
Nathan Sowter (Durham)
Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
Dan Mousley - Captain (Warwickshire)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
Sam Cook (Essex)
James Coles (Sussex)
Scott Currie (Hampshire)
Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Matt Revis (Yorkshire)
James Rew (Somerset)
Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
James Wharton (Yorkshire)
1st T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 20 February 2026.
2nd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 22 February 2026.
3rd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Tuesday 24 February 2026.
1st 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 27 February 2026.
2nd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 1 March 2026.
3rd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Wednesday 4 March 2026.
4th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 6 March 2026.
5th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Monday 9 March 2026.
ECB Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “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.
“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.”
England Lions Head Coach Andrew Flintoff will lead a coaching staff that will include Troy Cooley’s first tour since returning to the ECB as Men's Elite National Pace Bowling Lead. The coaching team (which will attend either all or part of the tour) includes Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, Moeen Ali, Amar Rashid and Ben Stokes.
Everyone at Essex County Cricket Club wishes Jordan, Sam, and Luc the very best of luck during their time with the England Lions!
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