SOMERSET trio Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton and Jamie Overton have been named in an 18-man England Performance Programme (EPP) squad, with Gregory also named in the England Lions squad for the five-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan ‘A’ in the UAE in December.

The EPP winter programme will see all 18 players undertake a four-day training camp at the National Cricket Performance Centre (NCPC) in Loughborough in early November – before the squad divides into two specialist groups.

Lewis Gregory will attend a two and a half-week long batting and spin camp in Dubai starting on November 11, whilst Craig Overton and Jamie Overton will travel to South Africa on the same date to take part in a ten-day training camp in Potchefstroom under the guidance of EPP lead fast bowling coach, Kevin Shine

The two groups will then reunite in the UAE in the last week of November for further training and match practice ahead of the England Lions T20 series against Pakistan ‘A’, which gets underway on Monday, December 7.

Commenting on the squads, National Selector, James Whitaker, said: “Congratulations to all of the players selected for the England Performance Programme and England Lions this winter.

“It is hugely important that we have a reserve of players who are ready to perform on the international stage when they get the opportunity and the EPP and the England Lions play a vital role in identifying and developing the next generation of England cricketers.

“With the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in India just six months away, the five-match T20 series for the Lions against Pakistan ‘A’ will form a particularly important part of our preparations for the tournament, ensuring that we can draw on a wider group of players who have recent experience of playing T20 cricket in sub-continental conditions.”

England Lions will return to Dubai to play a five-match one-day series against Pakistan ‘A’ in January 2016.

The itinerary and squad for this tour will be announced in due course.