Archer has not played for England since March 2021 and has not played any competitive cricket since July 2021. He spent last year struggling with a long-standing elbow issue which required multiple bouts of surgery and then suffered his back stress fracture while preparing to make his comeback earlier this year.
He has been building up his bowling over the last few months and retained his central contract for 2022-23, with England believed to be optimistic about the prospect of him returning to full fitness in time for one of their tours in early 2023.
The Lions squad will be in the UAE from November 6-27 and the tour will culminate in a three-day practice match against England’s Test team starting on November 23, ahead of their tour to Pakistan in December.
The Lions are also due to tour Sri Lanka in early 2023 to play competitive red-ball and 50-over games, and Mo Bobat, the ECB’s performance director, said that the selection process for the Abu Dhabi training camp had been “as individualised as possible”.
“Selection for the camp was conducted in close collaboration with both players and counties,” Bobat said, “and there are a number of players that have been encouraged and supported to take up other opportunities at home and overseas.
“It’s great to be able to recommence Lions developmental experiences and the camp in Dubai and Abu Dhabi represents a fantastic opportunity for a high-potential group of players. The camp also supports the England Men’s team in their preparation for Pakistan, allowing England and Lions players to work closely together in overseas conditions.”
England Lions training squad: Tom Abell, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Bohannon, Jack Carson, Sam Conners, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher, Haseeb Hameed, Tom Haines, Jack Haynes, Lyndon James, Dan Lawrence, Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith
Fast bowler rehab: Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Brydon Carse (November 11-27)
Test Player preparation: James Anderson. Jamie Overton (both November 6-19), Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Will Jacks (all November 11-19)