Lancashire squad announced for Yorkshire 'friendly'.

Despite the slightly misleading label of a friendly, this three-day encounter will give the Roses rivals a chance to rest and practice during the week that sees both teams absent from the first-class calendar.

Both sides have named a 12-man squad, all of whom will play, with 11 of the players batting.

Lancs: Paul Horton (capt), Karl Brown, Steven Croft, Gareth Cross (wk), Kyle Hogg, Simon Kerrigan, Stephen Moore, Stephen Parry, Oliver Newby, Luke Procter, Tom Smith, Wayne White.

Yorks: Adam Lyth, Joe Root, Phil Jaques, Andrew Gale (capt), 
Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Gary Ballance, Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, Liam Plunkett, Ryan Sidebottom, Jack Brooks, Steve Patterson.

The Lancashire squad sees three particularly important inclusions, as well as one key strategic decision. The return of Stephen Moore and Tom Smith, can be for one of two possible reasons. Either coach Moores sees them as fill in for those who are being rested, or, as many would hope, they are finally being trialled in the Red Rose team.

The inclusion of Oliver Newby will likewise please the Lancashire faithful, especially those who have examined his progress from the second XI and also his performance for the first XI, whenever he is chosen to play. It seems as though his absence from the first team has been a result of Lancashire's competitive attitude to produce the best possible team, forcing a number of quality players to miss out.

The decision to play Paul Horton as captain instead of Steven Croft is understandable, given that the latter has only ever filled Glen Chapple's boots in limited overs cricket on a regular basis.

Stephen Parry also comes in, with Chapple, Simon Katich and Ashwell Prince being rested.

Moving onto Yorkshire's side and it is hardly surprising they are a first division team when you observe the quality on show for a 'friendly'. Joe Root, Jonathan Bairstow and Tim Bresnan all feature in the Tykes' squad as well as previous England international Ryan Sidebottom.

Although the match has been characterised as a friendly, we can be certain that it will be anything but.