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Lions here not just to make up the numbers

Special Correspondent

Vadodara: England Lions is keen and eager to make an impact and have a genuine shot at the Duleep Trophy title. Virtually the second-string England team picked by former ECB Chairman of selectors, David Graveney and England coach Peter Moores, the 14-member squad has a substantial number of players who have tasted international cricket either in Test matches or one-day internationals.

Former Ireland and Middlesex opener Ed Joyce was part of the England squad that won the Ashes two years ago and was also in the England team for the last ICC Champions Trophy. The other notables in the squad here are Monty Panesar and seamer Liam Plunkeet.

Joyce and a majority of the squad are accustomed to the Indian conditions having been part of the Global Cricket Academy clinics at the Cricket Club of India in the last few years.

All of them had the benefit of being coached by the late Hanumant Singh.

Central Zone will be up against a strong seam attack.

Central is likely to be without left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, stricken by a neck related problem. “I cannot turn to the right,” said a disappointed Kartik.

Central’s attack will be led by Pankaj Singh, who did not figure in the Test series against Australia.

“It was a good experience bowling to the best Indian batsmen and world’s best at the nets,” said Pankaj Singh, who had replaced the injured Sudeep Tyagi.

The teams (from):

Central Zone: Mohammad Kaif (capt.), Sanjay Bangar, Robin Bist, Faiz Fazal, Praveen Gupta, Pankaj Singh, Mahesh Rawat, Harshad Rawle, Sanjib Sanyal, Jatin Saxena, Jalaj Saxena, Vineet Saxena, Sandeep Singh, Naman Ojha, Sanjay Pandey, Murali Kartik.

England Lions: Michael Yardy (capt.), Michael Carberry, Joe Denly, James Foster, James Hildreth, Ed Joyce, Steve Kirby, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Alan Richardson, Charlie Shreck, Jonathan Trott.

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