The 27-year-old has been part of an England development squadworking at Loughborough with the Academy this winter and will now betravelling to Dhaka as part of a 14-man squad to play a trio ofthree-day games and three more one-day fixtures.

Director ofcricket Mick Newell said: “Will’s selection is testimony to the hardwork he’s put in during the last three months and also illustrates thehigh regard in which he’s held by the England set-up.

“Given thathe hardly played any first-class cricket last season, to still bepicked just shows what ability he has. It’s great news for him andgreat news for us, as I think it helps to confirm what a good player wehave signed.”

Jefferson missed much of the summer with a freak wrist injury and fell down the pecking order at Essex before being released.

Newellwas quick to snap up the giant right-hander, who had been tipped in thepast for an England call-up, and Academy director Peter Moores said:“Will has been around for some time but has shown the attitude andability to move on to higher honours.”