BOLTON’S Matt Parkinson has been named in England’s 30-man training camp for the Test series against the West Indies.

The Lancashire leg spinner was first selected in an initial 55-strong party and has been back training under Covid-19 restrictions at his home ground of Emirates Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old - with the international set-up for the tours of New Zealand, South African and Sri Lanka - is one of five Red Rose players in the group alongside James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Keaton Jennings and Saqib Mahmood with the England and Wales Cricket Board producing a long-list of players who will be in contention for the red-ball team.

The first match of the series takes place at the Ageas Bowl from July 8 with the second and third matches at  Old Trafford on July 16 and 24 respectively.

The tourists have also been quarantined at the Red Rose’s home since their arrival in the country last week as part of the restrictions around the series.

With such a large group to manage, head coach Chris Silverwood and assistant Graham Thorpe have been handed a reinforced backroom team using head coaches from the county network with Lancashire’s Glen Chapple mentoring the pace bowlers.

His assistant Mark Chilton and second XI boss Chris Benbow will take charge of the Red Rose players while he is on international duty, the 46-year-old expected to return for the start of the domestic season later in the summer.

Lancashire’s director of cricket Paul Allott said: “We’d like to offer our congratulations to all five players involved in the behind-closed-doors training squad and wish them the best as they press their case for inclusion in the Test series.

 “We are also pleased for Glen to be able to take up a coaching position with England.

“It is an excellent development opportunity before he returns to Lancashire for a prospective county season during the summer.

“The experience will only further enhance his skillset and positively benefit our own squad upon his return.

 “Mark Chilton and Chris Benbow will lead the Lancashire squad in training whilst Glen is away with England as we continue our preparations for the start of the domestic campaign.”

Parkinson is one of eight uncapped Test players in the 30-man group but has appeared in limited overs cricket for his country, as have Red Rose team-mate Mahmood and Somerset’s Lewis Gregory.

Of those included Essex batsman Dan Lawrence, Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey, Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, Somerset quick Jamie Overton and Surrey spinner Amar Virdi have yet to represent their country at all.

The group will convene at the Ageas Bowl on June 23 and remain on site as they work towards an intra-squad match on July 1-3. That will provide a final chance to earn selection for the Test squad to face the Windies.

Parkinson is one of five spinners selected alongside Virdi, Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali.

England national selector Ed Smith said: “Everyone involved with England is delighted that cricket is returning soon, and that the players are reporting for group training in preparation for the Test series against the West Indies.

“We’d also like to thank all the county coaches who have supported these players over the past few weeks.

“A squad for the first Test will be announced in due course.”

ECB performance director Mo Bobat welcomed the addition of three highly-regarded homegrown coaches to the senior international set-up.

“Involving Glen Chapple, Richard Dawson and Matt Walker adds significant leadership strength to our coaching team, as well as their obvious technical and tactical knowledge,” he said.