LANCASHIRE leg-spinner Matt Parkinson has been withdrawn from the England Lions squad to face Pakistan A due to a stress fracture in his back.

The 22-year-old Boltonian, and former Heaton CC star, took 59 wickets for his county this summer, including 43 in white-ball cricket.

His 18 in the Royal London One-Day Cup was the highest tally in the competition.

Parkinson’s place in the tour party has been taken by Sussex left-armer Danny Briggs.

Andy Flower, interim director of England cricket, said: “It’s a real shame for Matt that he’s forced to miss the tour. He had a fine summer for Lancashire and his selection was just reward for the ability that he’s shown.

“He’s been shut down from bowling and he’ll see a spinal specialist this week as we try to determine the full extent of his injury. It does provide an opportunity for Danny to demonstrate what he can do.

“He’s a proven performer at county level and, like Matt, he had an impressive summer across all forms of the game.”

Briggs has played one ODI and seven Twenty20 games for the senior England side, the most recent coming in 2014.

He took 18 wickets in this summer’s Vitality Blast and nine, with an economy rate of just 4.87 runs per over, in the One-Day Cup.

The Lions begin their tour of the UAE with a four-day match from November 18, followed by five 50-over and two T20 clashes.