FORMER Oxfordshire paceman Jack Brooks has continued his rapid progress with a call-up to the England Lions squad.

The 27-year-old strike bowler is in a 12-man group to face Sri Lanka A in a four-day match at Scarborough, starting on Tuesday.

Brooks’s selection for England’s second string comes as he signed a two-year contract extension at Northants for whom he has taken 43 LV= County Championship wickets this season.

He only made his first-class debut in 2009 after spells with Tiddington and Oxford.

Brooks has been chosen for the Lions alongside full internationals Ravi Bopara, Jade Dernbach, Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel.

National selector Geoff Miller said: “The England Lions series against Sri Lanka A offers an important opportunity for younger players to gain valuable experience against international opposition and push for further involvement in England programmes this winter.

“The series will also give players a chance to press for inclusion in the upcoming NatWest Series against India.”

Before yesterday, only two bowlers had taken more Championship victims this year than Brooks, whose average is just over 20.

Brooks, who was reportedly targeted by Yorkshire, Warwickshire and Kent, is happy to stick with Northants, who are top of Division 2.

He said: “It’s very flattering to be courted by other clubs and I thank them for their interest, but I’ve made this decision for purely cricketing reasons.

“I believe the club is going places. There are some talented youngsters here and I know that I’m one of the players the club are looking at to take the club forward. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Brooks added: “I’m very happy to know that my future lies here at Northants for the next two years.

“The club have been great to me and I’m keen to re-pay their investment by helping Northants gain promotion to the top flight and challenge for trophies.”