ED Joyce, the elegant Middlesex left-hander, has been named in the provisional squad of 20 to go with the England Academy side this winter.

Joyce's fine style has drawn flattering comparisons with David Gower, and now he will have to make up his mind to pitch in his future with England, as he has a birth qualification for Ireland.

His qualification for the full England side may still be held up for a few more years, but clearly, plans are in the pipeline to bring the deadline forward if he continues to show such promising progress. The first group of players from the Academy spoke well of the regime.

July 18, 2002 09:00