Players on the verge of Ashes selection will try to stake their claims early next year in an Australian one-day cricket series.

Australia A will host the England Lions from February 16 to March 1 ahead of the Ashes tour later in the year.

After Victoria host the English for three warm-up matches at Junction Oval and the MCG, the series will start with three one-dayers in Hobart and then another two at the SCG.

The games will be played while the Australian Test team is in India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

“Fans will … get an early look at what the English might throw up in the Ashes,” Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.

“Those on the cusp of national representation will be able to test their mettle against England’s next-best and cricket fans get an early taste of that Ashes rivalry.”