Former Kent batsman Michael Carberry, pictured, has been named in an England Lions XI to play Australia in a two-day match at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, starting on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Hampshire left-handed opener, who left Kent four years ago, will be eager to impress the selectors having been in great form this summer. He has scored four centuries, averaging 67 in first-class cricket with a season high score of 204.

The team, captained by Glamorgan’s Jamie Dalrymple, has been selected from counties not involved in the Twenty20 finals day or NatWest Pro40 matches that clash with this fixture.

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has given the chance to stake a claim for a place in the squad ahead of the fifth npower Test at the Brit Oval, having missed out at Headingley.

Steve Kirby is also recalled after enjoying a good season for Gloucestershire, with 41 first-class wickets at an average of 20.41, while there are also first appearances in a Lions shirt for Glamorgan’s promising fast bowler James Harris and Yorkshire’s Andrew Gale.

ECB national selector Geoff Miller said: “The Lions have been given an opportunity to take on Australia again this summer following Kent's progress to the Twenty20 finals day.

“The Lions provided strong opposition for Australia in the tour match earlier this summer and this fixture will provide selectors with an opportunity to look at a number of established players who have impressed in county cricket this year.

“It is also a chance for the likes of Andrew Gale, James Harris and Chris Woakes to show the selectors how they will cope when they come up against a top-class international team such as Australia.”

Lions: Jamie Dalrymple, captain (Glamorgan), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Stephen Moore (Worcestershire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), Steven Davies (Worcestershire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire), Gary Keedy (Lancashire).