JACK Shantry says there is “a strong case” for Worcestershire team-mate Ross Whiteley to be selected by England for the ICC World T20 competition in India next spring.

Whiteley’s hitting in the short form of the game has been recognised by England with a Lions call-up for five T20 matches against Pakistan ‘A’ in the UAE.

He smashed 29 sixes during this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast including 11 against Yorkshire in a televised match at Headingley.

Whiteley lifted the Sky Sports Sixes Award at last week’s PCA awards night in London which was attended by Shantry and many of his team-mates.

Left armer Shantry said: “I was very proud to see Ross win that PCA award. It is nice when anyone at Worcestershire wins an award but that was a reflection that Ross is one of the most dangerous players in T20 Cricket.

“Can he push for the ICC World T20? I don’t see why not at all. There is a strong case for him already.

“If he carries on playing the way he has played and goes from strength to strength, then it will be very hard for England not to select him.”