Joseph answers Lions call

Paceman Robbie Joseph has been an integral part of the EPP setup in Loughborough

Kent fast bowler Robbie Joseph has been called up to the England Lions squad to replace Ravi Bopara and Amjad Khan.

They will both travel to the West Indies to join up with the England Test squad as cover for Andrew Flintoff.

Joseph, a member of the England Performance Programme that travelled to India in November 2008, has been playing for the Leeward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board’s regional four-day competition.

He will now travel to New Zealand to join the England Lions as they prepare to face New Zealand A in a series of 'Test' and one-day matches, starting on March 1 in Queenstown.

David Parsons, national performance director, said: “Robbie has been part of the England Performance Programme since the training camps in India and Abu Dhabi before Christmas.

“He was very unfortunate to miss out on selection for the original squad to tour New Zealand.

“We're looking forward to his arrival and believe his presence will bolster what is already a very exciting bowling attack.

“On behalf of the ECB, I would also like to place on record our grateful thanks to the Leeward Islands Cricket Association and the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association for their assistance in enabling Robbie to join us in New Zealand.”