Henry Crowcombe and Mitchell Stanley lead the young England Lions pace picks

Henry Crowcombe and Mitchell Stanley are among the pace bowlers on England’s radar who have been named in the Lions squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa A later this month.

Sussex’s Crocombe was name-checked as one of the players watched by director of cricket Rob Key when England selected their squad for the first Test against New Zealand earlier this week.

Admired by Lancashire’s Stanley hierarchy, including influential Lions coach Andrew Flintoff, the 25-year-old has played just five first-class matches.

Crocombe, 24, had taken 19 wickets in the County Championship this season before the latest round of matches began on Friday.

He is in the squad for the second of two matches against South Africa A at Beckenham on 29 May. First game May 22 at Arundel.

England’s pace-bowling department is thriving after a disappointing Ashes and successive retirements of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Chris Woakes.

Ollie Robinson’s two-year international ban has ended with a call-up for the first Test against New Zealand, accompanied by Hampshire’s uncapped pacer Sonny Baker. Brydon Carrey is injured and Jofra Archer will be rested for the Indian Premier League.

The selection panel for the full squad includes new England national selector Marcus North, who has stepped down as director of cricket at Durham.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, Durham head coach Ryan Campbell said England had made an “incredible” appointment – and dismissed any concerns about being the North Australian.

“Marcus has taken this club to another level,” Campbell said. “England Cricket made an incredibly good choice.

“He’s as English as an Australian can be. He’s married to an English woman, he’s lived in the North East for years, he’s invested in county cricket for years.

“He will test Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Key and ask the right questions. He will be incredible.”