Leicestershire have expressed their delight at the selection of Darren Stevens and Matthew Whiley in the provisional squad announced for the England National Academy in Australia this winter.

Stevens, 26, has enjoyed an impressive first-half to the season and was named the club's Bland-Bankart Player of the Month for May. He has hit four half centuries plus a score of 125 against Warwickshire in the Championship, and a brilliant 91 in a Norwich Union League match against Notts.

Whiley, still only 22, joined Leicestershire from Notts at the start of last season, and is showing signs of developing into one of the quickest bowlers in the country.

Head coach Phil Whitticase said: "In Whiley's case you have to accept that he is still young and still learning. But he has good pace and the fact that he is a left-arm fast bowler is a good thing to have in your armoury. What he needs to work on is putting the ball in the right areas more consistently.

"Stevens is an exciting talent with an array of attacking shots. He has worked hard on his game this season and the fact that he has now become established in the side had added to his confidence.When he is in full flow there is no more exciting young batsman in the game."

James Whitaker, Leicestershire's secretary-manager said: "It is excellent news, and encouraging for the club, that two of our young players could be stepping onto the first rung of the ladder towards international recognition.We are delighted."

© Leicestershire CCC