Promising Nottinghamshire wicket keeper Tom Moores has been selected in the England Development Programme squad to face Pakistan Under 17s in the UAE in February.
Moores, already a member of the full EDP training squad for 2014-15, was one of 15 selected for the 16-day tour, which will see England compete against Pakistan U17 in three fifty-over matches and one three-day match.
The entire series will take place at the ICC Academy in Dubai, with the three one-day matches being played on February 17, 19 and 21, followed by the standalone three-day match from February 24 – 26.
The touring party consists largely of players in the under 17 age group, though thanks to a reciprocal agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board, will also feature three players from each of the under 16 and 18 age groups.
Commenting on the squad, England Development Programme Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: “The selection of three U16 players and three slightly older U18 guys for this series helps us to ensure that we are developing as wide a pool of young talent as possible,” said David Graveney, EDP Chairman of Selectors.
“When planning the tour, we didn’t want to be limited to a single age group – it’s hugely important that we have a long-term vision and pathway in place across the board at this formative stage of the players’ development.
“The primary objective for the series is around providing a testing development opportunity against strong opposition in tough conditions. An overseas tour in the UAE against Pakistan U17s fits these criteria perfectly, and I am certain that everyone involved will learn a great deal.”
Full EDP squad to face Pakistan U17:
Martin Anderson (Middlesex)
Ed Barnes (Yorkshire)
George Bartlett (Somerset)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Jordan Garrett (Gloucs)
Arthur Godsal (Middlesex)
Tom Haines (Sussex)
Max Holden (Middlesex)
Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire)
George Panayi (Warwickshire)
David Sayer (Leicestershire)
Andrew Thomas (Middlesex)
Ben Twohig (Worcestershire)
Sam Underdown (Somerset)
Saif Zaib (Northants)