Kent skipper Rob Key has been appointed captain of the England Lions to face the West Indies in a four-day match starting at Derby next Thursday, April 30.

The game is the tourists final warm-up game before the First Test begins at Lord's on Wednesday, May 6.

The call-up means Key will miss Kent's LV County Championship Division 2 game against Essex at Chelmsford, and the Friends Provident Trophy tie against Middlesex at Southgate on Sunday week.

Key (pictured right) skippered the Lions on their ewinter tour to New Zealand and captained MCC in the pre-season friendly against Durham at Lord's over Easter.

Chief selector Geoff Miller said: "Rob captained outstandingly well in New Zealand, so continues to lead the side."

Lions Squad: Rob Key (Kent, capt), Tim Ambrose, Ian Bell (both Warwickshire), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Steven Moore (Worcesterhire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes (both Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).