England call-up for lethal Lewis (From Gazette Series)

England call-up for lethal Lewis

GLOUCESTERSHIRE fast bowler Jon Lewis could make his England Test debut next week after being named in a 12-man squad for the first Test against Bangladesh.

The series opener, which will start at Lord's on Thursday, will represent a golden opportunity for Lewis, who has been selected ahead of the centrally-contracted James Anderson.

If Glamorgan seamer Simon Jones fails to recover from the back injury that has sidelined him in recent County Championship games, Lewis is likely to get his chance.

The prolific seamer, 29, was called into the Test squad for the final match of the winter series in South Africa, where he operated as injury cover without ever making it onto the pitch.

Lewis has started the season in fine form, taking 18 wickets at 22.55 each. This follows an exceptional 2004 campaign, in which he broke into the preliminary England squad for the ICC Champions Trophy having been a regular in the England A squad, along with team-mate Alex Gidman.

Having served the county for ten years, Lewis delighted fans in the winter by committing himself to the County Ground club for another three years having been linked with a plethora of sides following the end of his last contract.

The good news arrived in thrilling fashion for Lewis, who was telephoned by England chairman of selectors David Graveney on Saturday night and told that he had made it into the Test squad.

If he continues his good form throughout the season, Lewis may even find himself in contention for a place in this year's Ashes squad. He will face stiff competition from Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, James Anderson and others and will need to impress if he gets his chance next week.

However, few can compare with Lewis's consistency in county cricket at the moment.