OPENER Brett D’Oliveira hopes his selection for England Lions will be the first step towards full international recognition.

The 22-year-old would love to follow in the path of his late grandfather Basil D’Oliveira, who played 44 Tests and four one-day internationals for England.

Brett has had a superb first half of the season with Worcestershire, hitting more than 600 runs, including a double hundred, a century and a 99.

He is in the Lions squad for a Tri-Series against Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A alongside County team-mate Joe Clarke.

D’Oliveira, who also bowls spin, said: “I have never played representative cricket for England but have played for the Midlands, so I am looking forward to this. It was definitely a surprise for me.

“You never think about things like this too much but it’s one step closer to where I want to get to, which is playing for England, so I am over the moon.

“I had a phonecall from Mick Newell (England Lions coach), which unfortunately I missed but he left me a voice message and I got back to him.

“The first person I told about my selection was my girlfriend because she was next to me and then I told my mum a short time later.

“My mum is over the moon because it has been a tough few years for her, so it’s great to give her some good news and see a big smile on her face.”

D’Oliveira and Clarke will meet up with the Lions’ squad this weekend ahead of their opener against Pakistan A at Cheltenham College on Monday.

England play Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice in a packed schedule, which concludes at Canterbury on July 25.

D’Oliveira said: “It has been great to get that news and I am waiting to meet up with the rest of the lads, get to know everyone and play some cricket.

“Joe spent the winter with them and hopefully he can show me the way through.

“He deserves his place because he has played phenomenally well for us the past season. He has been a huge part of our team and hopefully he will be for years to come.

"This season has gone well for me too and I am very thankful for that. I think the biggest change has been the mental side of my game.

“I work with our second-team coach Kevin Sharp because he’s a confidence builder and pumps your tyres up and he’s great to have around the place.”

D’Oliveira added: “If you are playing the game professionally in this country, it’s every cricketer’s dream to play for their country. I have been lucky enough to get the chance to play for England Lions, so I definitely want to go on and play for England.

“If I enjoy my cricket, I have normally done pretty well and it’s about taking my form and confidence into the England Lions.”