Henry Crocombe and Mitchell Stanley are among the pace bowlers on England’s radar named in a Lions squad to take on South Africa A in two four-day matches later this month.
Sussex’s Crocombe was namechecked as a player being watched by director of cricket Rob Key when England chose their squad for the first Test against New Zealand earlier this week.
Stanley of Lancashire is admired by the hierarchy, including by influential Lions coach Andrew Flintoff, despite the 25-year-old having played only five first-class matches.
Crocombe, 24, had taken 19 wickets in the County Championship this season before the latest round of matches got under way on Friday.
He is in the squad for the second of the two matches against South Africa A, at Beckenham on 29 May. The first game is at Arundel on 22 May.
England’s pace-bowling department is evolving following the disappointing Ashes and the retirements of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Chris Woakes in successive years.
Ollie Robinson’s two-year international exile has been ended with his call-up for the first Test against New Zealand, with uncapped Hampshire paceman Sonny Baker also included. Brydon Carse is injured and Jofra Archer will be rested following his stint at the Indian Premier League.
The selection panel for the full squad included new England national selector Marcus North, who will be leaving his role as director of cricket at Durham to assume the position.
Speaking to Radio 5 Sports Extra, Durham head coach Ryan Campbell says England have made an “unbelievable” appointment – and rejected any concerns over North being Australian.
“Marcus has taken this club to another level,” said Campbell. “England cricket have made an unbelievably good choice.
“He’s as English as an Australian can be. He married an English lady, he has lived in the north east for years, he has invested in county cricket for years.
“He will test Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Key and will ask the right questions. He will be unbelievable.”