England Lions call up Essex seamer Sam Cook as injury cover

England Lions have added Essex seamer Sam Cook to their squad for the two remaining four-day matches in Australia. Cook, who has been playing Grade cricket in Melbourne, will provide cover after Richard Gleeson and Lewis Gregory picked up injuries in their previous match.

Lancashire quick Gleeson has returned home after suffering a shoulder injury in the game against Cricket Australia XI in Hobart, while Gregory, who was captaining the side, hurt a calf and was only able to bowl four overs. Neither player took the field on the final two days of the match.

The Lions will also be without Saqib Mahmood, after he experienced knee soreness while involved with England's white-ball squads in South Africa. He has returned to the UK, rather than fly out to Australia as expected.

Cook has impressed at county level since his debut in 2017, playing a part in both of Essex's title wins and averaging 24.63 in first-class cricket.

The Lions will next take on a strong Australia A side, featuring full internationals such as Usman Khawaja, Moises Henriques and Marcus Harris, in a day-night game starting at the MCG on Saturday. In Gregory's absence, Keaton Jennings will captain the side.