Oxfordshire’s Ollie Price and James Coles have been named in the England Lions 15 player squad that will travel to India in early January 2024 for a month-long red-ball tour that coincides with the start of England Men’s five-match Test series. The Lions will be based in Ahmedabad for the whole tour and are scheduled to play India A in three four-day matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The tour begins with a two-day warm-up match against India A.
The news follows Price and Coles recently attending a training camp in UAE that took place across November and December which looked to develop their red-ball skills predominantly. The England Lions Camp aimed to understand the depth of England’s pathway whilst providing developmental experiences for high-potential players closely aligned to England’s future needs.
Ollie and James are products of the Oxfordshire Cricket pathway, starting their journey within the Boys Under 10s county age group before making their transition into programmes with Gloucestershire (Ollie) and James (Sussex). WIth Oxfordshire, both progressed into the Men’s 2nd XI and 1st Xi teams, notably being in the same squad that lifted the National Counties Cricket Association T20 winning trophy back in 2022.
Oxfordshire Cricket Performance Director, Matthew Barnes, said:
“It is fantastic to learn that Ollie and James have been selected for the England Lions tour to India in early January 2024. Their inclusion in the squad will provide further learning experiences in conditions that are representative of the international game and help to accelerate both their progression and readiness to transition from the first class game in the future.
We are incredibly proud of Ollie and James, and it is my pleasure to again wish them the best of luck with the England Lions tour to India on behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket.”
Oxfordshire and Sussex Coach and Magdalen College School Cricket Professional, Alan Duncan said:
“The news of Ollie and James being selected for the England Lions Tour to India is fantastic. In my time working with them they have demonstrated a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to their game. They have sacrificed to be the best that they can be, which has shown this year as their work and effort has been rewarded with successful seasons at Gloucestershire and Sussex. It is an exciting time for them in their careers and we wish them the best of luck. We will be watching with great interest.”