Rob Key's disappointing form has cost him the England Lions captaincy. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Rob Key's poor run of form has meant he has lost the captaincy of the England Lions team.

The Kent skipper (pictured) has been left out of the Lions team to meet Australia at Worcester from July 1-4, with Warwickshire's Ian Bell taking over the captaincy.

Key has scored just 87 runs in six first-class innings this summer at an average of 14.50.

Hear Rob Key talking to the KM Group's Andrew Gidley about Twenty20

But there is good news for Key's opening partner Joe Denly, who has been called up for the Ashes warm up game.

Denly, who is averaging more than 50 this summer, said: “It came as a bit of a surprise. I certainly wasn’t expecting it. I guess I’ve peaked in the last couple of weeks and found some form. This is a great opportunity for me to go and show what I can do.

"I am very proud to be selected by the England Lions and this gives me a great opportunity to play against the Aussies just before the Ashes. It will prove a great test; I’m sure, but what a great opportunity.”

The Lions team is: Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan(Yorkshire), Joe Denly(Kent), Steven Davies(Worcestershire), Stephen Harmison (Durham), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Stephen Moore(Worcestershire), Eoin Morgan(Middlesex), Graham Onions(Durham), Adil Rashid(Yorkshire), Vikram Solanki(Worcestershire).