KENT'S in-form opening batsman Joe Denly said it was a "surreal moment" when he heard news of his selection to play for England Lions against the India touring side at Chelmsford later this week.

The 21-year-old heard new of his selection in the match, which starts on Friday, from Kent's director of cricket, Graham Ford.

Denly said: "It was a surreal moment and a real shock, but I've started the season quite well.

"My plan this year was to try and cement my place in the Kent side and go from there, if all went well I hoped England A might be a possibility later in the season."

England lions squad: Andrew Strauss (Middlesex) (Captain), Tim Ambrose (Warwicks), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Leics), Joe Denly (Kent), Graham Onions (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).