INFLUENTIAL Somerset duo Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach will miss the County Championship trip to Yorkshire next weekend after being selected by the England Lions.

The Lions are taking on Australia A in Canterbury from July 14 and two of Somerset's standout performers have attracted the attention of coach Andy Flower.

Gregory has been in particularly fine form this summer, taking 44 Championship wickets at 12.93, including four five-wicket hauls, while also averaging 34.50 with the bat.

Leach has taken 22 Championship wickets at 19.55 with a best of 6-36 and both players will be looking to press home their respective Ashes credentials.

Somerset's strength in depth within the bowling attack will be particularly useful at Headingley - Somerset's match at Yorkshire begins on July 13 - and, in some respects, they are fortunate that more of their in-form bowling attack were not selected.

Flower said: “We’re really looking forward to a great challenge against a very experienced Australia A side, some of whom will be looking to stake a claim for Ashes selection.

“We’ve got a very good squad of players travelling with us to Canterbury; one that’s more than capable of delivering a positive result.

“Lions selection is always tricky. We’ve got an eye on the England team’s short-term needs ahead of a busy winter schedule, but we’re looking at some medium-and long-term prospects as well. We also need to respect the counties’ needs during this busy time in the domestic season.

“While some players will be playing at this level for the first time, there is plenty of experience in our squad too. This will be a great learning opportunity for all these players and a chance to test themselves against a strong opposition.”

England Lions squad:

James Bracey (Gloucestershire)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)

Ben Foakes (Surrey)

Lewis Gregory (Somerset)

Jack Leach (Somerset)

Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)

Sam Northeast (Hampshire)

Jamie Porter (Essex)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)