Shropshire cricketer James Taylor has taken another major step towards fulfiling his dream of becoming an England regular.

Former Shrewsbury School pupil Taylor has been named in the England Lions squad for next month’s tour to the United Arab Emirates.

The 20-year-old will join current Test batsman Ian Bell in a 15-man touring party who will face England and the UAE in a Twenty20 match each, and Pakistan A in three more as well as three 50-over internationals.

Taylor, who also played for Shrewsbury in the Birmingham League, became the youngest Leicestershire batsman to score 1,000 runs in a season during 2009, his first full campaign in First Class cricket.

“It’s nice to be rewarded for the runs that I scored last year,” said Taylor, who has recently signed a new three-year contract at Leicestershire.

“But I didn’t expect to be selected to go on the tour so it’s a massive bonus and something I’m really looking forward to.

“Playing against the full England team is going to be an unbelievable experience.

“I’ve been in the England Academy squad and now the England Lions squad so hopefully these are all steps towards getting in the full England team.”

The Lions tour will cap a hectic winter for Taylor who has already been in South Africa with the England Development squad.

“To work with batting coaches like Graham Gooch and players like Alistair Cook and Ian Bell has been fantastic and you can always pick up tips from players like that,” he added.

National selector Geoff Miller revealed the progress of Taylor had been followed closely.

“We hope he doesn’t have a one-season syndrome,” said Miller.

“He’s a very, very shrewd cookie – who played very well last year.

“He’s worked well in the performance squad too. It will be interesting to see how he goes in foreign conditions.”