England Lions send for Root ahead of one-dayers

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Joe Root on his way to 66 in the Lions 2nd innings

Joe Root joins Jonny Bairstow in the England Lions one-day squad after the England selectors today announced two changes to the squad to face Sri Lanka A in a three match series beginning at Worcester on Friday 12 August.

Yorkshire batsman Joe Root, who impressed in last week's 4-day match, has replaced Ravi Bopara (Essex) following Bopara's inclusion in the England squad for the third npower Test against India. Root made his debut for England Lions at Scarborough last week making 66 in the second innings.

Left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire) has been called up to the squad to replace Hampshire's Danny Briggs who has been ruled out of the series due to a shoulder injury.

ENGLAND LIONS v SRI LANKA A ONE-DAY SERIES

10.45am Friday 12 August New Road, Worcester

10.45 am Sunday 14 August New Road, Worcester

10.45am Tuesday 16 August, Northampton

BAIRSTOW & ROOT IMPRESS FOR ENGLAND LIONS

Jonny Bairstow illuminated the North Marine Road ground in Scarborough with his first England Lions century as England drew their 4-day match with Sri Lanka A. Bairstow took his match tally to 159-runs as he struck an unbeaten 109 from 133 balls, including 12 fours and a six.

Yorkshire's Joe Root also made his England Lions debut and made his mark with 10 and 66 in the match.

"To play for England Lions is a great privilege and to score runs is very pleasing, particularly here at Scarborough," Jonny Bairstow said at the end of the game. "It was important that James Taylor and I put in a solid performance today to give us a big enough lead and it was a shame that James didn't quite get his hundred. I'm back with Yorkshire now for the next few days before the one-day series next week which by the looks of this Sri Lankan side will be a competitive series."

In England's first innings of 299 Root made 10, whereas Bairstow contributed 50 in 83 balls which included 10 fours. After Sri Lanka made 389 England saw opener Root score 66 in 121 balls which included 7 fours and Bairstow made 109 not out as England declared at 415-5. Sri Lanka, set an unrealistic 326 runs to win, batted out time to end the match at 127-0.

Martyn Moxon, speaking after Yorkshire's draw at The Rose Bowl, said: "I'm very pleased for them, particularly Rooty in his first game and Jonny for his first hundred for the Lions and it stands them in good stead. It's fantastic for them, but I'm not surprised as we've seen what they can do for us."