JACK Leach and Lewis Gregory have taken another step towards gaining full international honours having both been selected to play for MCC against Middlesex in the March's Champion County match in Abu Dhabi, writes Richard Walsh.

Kent’s Sam Northeast will captain the side, which also includes Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett plus England Lions duo Joe Clarke and Tom Alsop.

Both players are already on the England selectors radar, with Leach joining up with the Lions in Sri Lanka early next month and all-rounder Gregory set to take part in the North v South series earlier in the spring.

Following his selection, Somerset favourite Leach said: “As someone who came through the MCC Universities scheme, it’s special for me to be selected to play for MCC.  

"I’ve got a lot of happy memories of my time at Cardiff and it played a big part in my cricketing development. It’s good to have quite a few of the other Lions lads involved and also Lewis.”  

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RECOGNITION: Leach's selection is a reward for his superb form for Somerset last season.

The left-arm spinner added: “For me it means I’ve got some really good quality cricket to help me prepare for the start of the season.  

"I’ve got the Lions tour to Sri Lanka plus our trip to Spain with Somerset and now playing for the MCC.”

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: “Having worked closely with the England selectors to assemble this group, I am very pleased with the fantastic talent we have at our disposal.  

"We’ve selected a youthful and varied bowling attack which I’m sure will pose problems for the Middlesex batsmen. The facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai remain excellent for First Class cricket and we’re looking forward to a competitive match.”

MCC squad to face Middlesex: Haseeb Hameed (Lancashire), Tom Alsop (Hampshire), Sam Northeast (captain – Kent), Ben Duckett (Northamptonshire), Joe Clarke (Worcestershire), Ben Cox (Worcestershire), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Matt Coles (Kent), Matt Fisher (Yorkshire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Jack Leach (Somerset)