England's Test captain Ben Stokes is set to join the England Lions coaching staff in the United Arab Emirates next month. The 34-year-old is currently recovering from an adductor injury sustained during the final Ashes Test in Australia earlier this month. While his primary focus remains on his rehabilitation, this trip allows him to stay integrated with the national setup while contributing to the development of the country's rising stars.
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During the tour, Stokes will work under the leadership of Andrew Flintoff, supporting the squad through their T20 and 50-over series against the Pakistan Shaheens. He will be part of an impressive and diverse coaching roster that includes former internationals Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, and Moeen Ali, the latter making his debut as a Lions coach. The staff also features Neil Killeen, Amar Rashid, and Troy Cooley, who marks his first tour since returning to the ECB as the men’s elite national pace bowling lead.
Ben Stokes to coach England Lions for white-ball tour against Pakistan Shaheens
The tour will see Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley taking the captaincy reigns for the T20 and 50-over squads, respectively. Ed Barney, the ECB men’s performance director, expressed great enthusiasm for the upcoming tour, highlighting the strength and depth of the selected squad.
“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," ECB men’s performance director Ed Barney said, as quoted by The Cricket Paper.
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Lions T20 squad:
J Cox (Essex, capt), S Baker (Hampshire), L Benkenstein (Essex), J Coles (Sussex), S Cook (Essex), S Currie (Hampshire), C Harrison (Northamptonshire), E Jack (Hampshire), S Mahmood (Lancashire), B McKinney (Durham), T Moores (Nottinghamshire), D Mousley (Warwickshire), M Revis (Yorkshire), W Smeed (Somerset), N Sowter (Durham), M Stanley (Lancashire), A Tribe (Glamorgan).
Lions 50-over squad:
D Mousley (Warwickshire, capt), S Baker (Hampshire), L Benkenstein (Essex), S Cook (Essex), J Coles (Sussex), S Currie (Hampshire), C Harrison (Northamptonshire), E Jack (Hampshire), B McKinney (Durham), L Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), M Potts (Durham), M Revis (Yorkshire), J Rew (Somerset), M Stanley (Lancashire), A Tribe (Glamorgan), J Wharton (Yorkshire)