Henry Crocombe and Mitchell Stanley headline the pace bowlers drawing England attention in the Lions squad for two four-day clashes with South Africa A later this month.

Sussex seamer Crocombe earned praise from director of cricket Rob Key as a prospect under observation when England named their lineup for the opening Test against New Zealand this week.

Lancashire's Stanley has caught the eye of the leadership group, including Lions coach Andrew Flintoff, even though the 25-year-old has just five first-class appearances to his name.

The 24-year-old Crocombe had claimed 19 wickets in the County Championship this season prior to the most recent round starting on Friday.

Crocombe joins the squad for the second match against South Africa A, scheduled at Beckenham on 29 May, while the opener takes place at Arundel on 22 May.

England's fast-bowling unit continues to transition after the lackluster Ashes series and the departures of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Chris Woakes in recent seasons.

Ollie Robinson returns from a two-year absence with selection for the New Zealand Test, joined by uncapped Hampshire bowler Sonny Baker. Brydon Carse is sidelined by injury, and Jofra Archer rests after Indian Premier League duties.

The full squad selection involved new England national selector Marcus North, who stepped down as Durham's director of cricket for the role.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, hailed England's choice of North as "unbelievable" and dismissed worries about his Australian roots.

"Marcus has elevated this club significantly," Campbell noted. "England cricket has pulled off a fantastic decision.

"He's as English as any Australian gets. Married to an English woman, long-time resident of the north east, deep commitment to county cricket.

"He'll challenge Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes, and Rob Key with sharp questions. He will excel."

Crocombe and Stanley are joined in the Lions by Hampshire's Eddie Jack and Surrey's Tom Lawes, seam bowlers who toured Australia in the winter and hold England development deals.

Somerset's 22-year-old left-armer Alfie Ogborne and Middlesex's 20-year-old Naavya Sharma round out the pace prospects in the group.

Warwickshire's Dan Mousley captains a side featuring openers Ben McKinney and Asa Tribe, both considered potential successors to Zak Crawley before his position went to McKinney's Durham colleague Emilio Gay.

Flintoff coaches the Lions, with news imminent on his appointment as head coach of Sydney Thunder in Australia's Big Bash League.

The Thunder position marks Flintoff's debut overseas franchise role after two years leading Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. The 48-year-old briefly played for Brisbane Heat late in his career.

Flintoff assumed Lions duties in 2024 on a one-year deal, quietly extended to early 2027 by the England and Wales Cricket Board without fanfare.

Should Flintoff join Thunder, he may sit out the latter stages of the Lions' December tour to South Africa.

England Lions squad for two matches against South Africa A: Dan Mousley (captain), Charlie Allison (Essex), Henry Crocombe (second four-day match), Eddie Jack, Ben Geddes, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Tom Lawes, Alfie Ogborne (first four-day match), Liam Patterson-White, James Sales, Naavya Sharma, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe, James Wharton.