BARROW'S Liam Livingstone has been named in the England Lions squad to fly out to Australia next month.

Livingstone had an excellent summer for Lancashire and also made his international debut in the T20 series against South Africa.

The 24-year-old scored more 800 runs in the Championship and his heroics in the final game of the season against Surrey - when he took career-best figures of 6 for 52 and scored 69 not out - helped The Red Rose finish runners-up behind champions Essex.

Also included in the 17-man squad are three players who featured in England's Test summer, paceman Mark Wood and batsmen Tom Westley and Keaton Jennings.

Wood, who is recovering from a heel injury, was not considered for England's Ashes squad, having played just two matches in the last two months of the summer, but his inclusion for the Lions - as anticipated - means he will be close at hand in Australia up to Christmas.

If he therefore proves his fitness, and England feel they need his help mid-Ashes, the 27-year-old will be readily available.

Westley, Jennings or even others, including Barrow CC product Livingstone, could yet also conceivably come into contention - depending on events in Australia, or even before England fly down under on October 28.

Uncertainty surrounds the Ashes participation of key all-rounder Ben Stokes, following his arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm last week and his and Alex Hales' subsequent suspension from selection by the England and Wales Cricket Board for all international fixtures until further notice.

National selector James Whitaker said: "This camp provides an opportunity for emerging young talent and some players with international experience to work hard on their game in Australia, in excellent facilities, under the guidance of Andy Flower and our other lead coaches.

"The players selected have a range of experience, and we believe they are an exciting group.

"This is a great chance for them to impress, before we select another Lions squad for the games against West Indies A in the second half of the winter.

"We would expect a number of other players to be in contention for that squad - for example, Haseeb Hameed was not considered for the Australia camp to avoid him having to rush back from the injury he suffered recently playing for Lancashire."

England Lions (in Australia): D Bess (Somerset), J Clarke (Worcestershire), P Coughlin (Nottinghamshire), A Davies (Lancashire), B Duckett (Northamptonshire), G Garton (Sussex), N Gubbins (Middlesex), T Helm (Middlesex), K Jennings (Lancashire), D Lawrence (Essex), J Leach (Somerset), L Livingstone (Lancashire), S Mahmood (Lancashire), J Porter (Essex), A Virdi (Surrey), T Westley (Essex), M Wood (Durham)