FOUR Somerset players will tour Australia as part of the England Lions squads in the New Year.

Dom Bess, Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory are part of the 50-over and three-day squads, while Tom Abell - called up for the first time - takes his place in the 50-over squad.

The tour consists of five 50-over matches against Cricket Australia and New South Wales XI's, while the Lions will face Australia A, a Cricket Australia XI and a New South Wales XI in three four-day matches in the second half of the tour.

National Selector Ed Smith said: “We’ve selected two exciting squads for our Lions’ tour of Australia, where the aim is not only to win matches but to prepare players for international cricket.

“With this tour we’ve got England’s short-term needs in mind, with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and a busy summer schedule, as well as an opportunity to provide players with relevant experience for future Ashes series.

“Australia is a tough place to tour as an England player at any level, so it will be a great test for all involved.”

Abell and Gregory are currently competing in the Bangladesh Premier League with Rangpur Rangers.

ENGLAND LIONS 50-OVER SQUAD

Tom Abell (Somerset)

Dom Bess (Somerset)

James Bracey (Gloucestershire)

Henry Brookes (Warwickshire)

Brydon Carse (Durham)

Mason Crane (Hampshire)

Laurie Evans (Sussex)

Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)

Lewis Gregory (Somerset)

Sam Hain (Warwickshire)

Will Jacks (Surrey)

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire)

Dan Lawrence (Essex)

Matt Milnes (Kent)

Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire)

Craig Overton (Somerset)

ENGLAND LIONS FOUR-DAY SQUAD

Dom Bess (Somerset)

James Bracey (Gloucestershire)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)

Lewis Gregory (Somerset)

Sam Hain (Warwickshire)

Keaton Jennings (Lancashire)

Dan Lawrence (Essex)

Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)

Sam Northeast (Hampshire)

Craig Overton (Somerset)

Ollie Robinson (Kent)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Dominic Sibley (Warwickshire)

Amar Virdi (Surrey)