DORSET coaching star Paul Tweddle revealed his thirst for more experience with the England men’s cricket team after being chosen to work with England Lions in Sri Lanka.

Former Bridport and Dorchester wicketkeeper Tweddle, fielding and assistant coach at Somerset, is working with England’s development squad during their current tour.

It means Tweddle will get the chance to coach Somerset stars Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Tom Lammonby and James Rew in the national setup, plus Dorset’s Tom Prest.

Last winter, Tweddle was selected to work with the full England national T20 side in the West Indies and the 34-year-old told Somerset CCC’s official website of his hunger for more.

READ MORE: Paul Tweddle selected as England T20 fielding and wicketkeeping coach for West Indies tour

Reflecting on his time with England, Tweddle said: “It was an amazing trip to work with those guys at the top level and now I have also been involved with the Lions so I’m very proud to get this opportunity.

“Somerset have been super supportive in me getting these chances and releasing me to take them. I’m ambitious and want to push myself and I’m very driven about how far I can go with it.

“Of course, I’d love to work with national teams but I’m realistic and know that it won’t always happen as fast as my journey has been up to this point.

“I love it here and Somerset CCC has become part of my life. I’ve been involved on and off since I was 16 and it’s somewhere I hold very deeply to my heart.

“I feel really privileged to be able to be here and I’m still enjoying where we are going as a club and what potentially we are capable of with such a talented young squad.”

And the Lions yesterday beat Sri Lanka A by four wickets in their first unofficial one-day international in Colombo.

Two more 50-over matches, both in Colombo, conclude the tour on Saturday and Tuesday.

Tweddle will return after the Lions’ tour to help prepare Somerset for their pre-season campaign, beginning at Taunton against Cardiff UCCE on Wednesday, March 22.