Josh De Caires, a Middlesex spin-bowling all-rounder, has been appointed as captain of the County Select XI for a four-day match against Zimbabwe in Leicester. This game comes as Zimbabwe prepares for a solitary Test match with England at Trent Bridge next week. Notably, the team will benefit from the coaching expertise of England bowler Mark Wood, who is recovering from a knee operation and exploring coaching as a potential career path.
De Caires, 23, is the son of former England captain Mike Atherton. He will lead a 13-man squad that includes Warwickshire all-rounder Dan Mousley, who made his England white-ball debut in the Caribbean last year, and Yorkshire leg-spinner Jafer Chohan, who was part of the same tour but is yet to debut internationally.
The squad boasts other young talents with captaincy experience. Essex all-rounder Luc Benkenstein and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew, whose brother James was recently called into the Test squad, have both captained England’s Under-19 side.
The team’s preparations will be overseen by Andrew Flintoff, head coach of the England Lions. Joining him are Sarah Taylor, former England women’s wicketkeeper, and Neil Kileen, whose son Mitch is also part of the squad. Mike Yardy and ex-South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie complete the coaching team.
Mark Wood told Sky Sports last week of his involvement, sharing his thoughts on coaching: “to see if I’m a natural, to see if I’m any good, and if I enjoy it.”
The match is set to start on Thursday, May 15. The County Select XI squad for the match includes: Josh De Caires (captain), Archie Bailey, Luc Benkenstein, Jafer Chohan, Ben Dawkins, Alex Green, Eddie Jack, Mitch Killeen, Ben Mayes, Seb Morgan, Dan Mousley, Thomas Rew, and Jamal Richards.
