FORMER Walmley all-rounder Chris Woakes has set his sights on the West Indies this spring, after being called up for the provisional senior England World Twenty20 squad for the second time in 12 months.

The Warwickshire youngster was a surprise inclusion in the list of names last year.

But after a fine summer with his county, as well as an impressive winter tour with the Lions, the 20-year-old believes he is there on merit.

He said: "I am more confident of making the squad than I was last year. I think I have moved on as a player.

"Last year I was just chuffed to be in the list at all, whereas this time I am slightly more hopeful of making it into the final 15 when it is announced in a few weeks' time.

"I think that my form with the Lions has got me noticed, as well as a few of the other lads, and I just hope that we have done enough."

Woakes's form on the Lions tour was overshadowed by that of South African-born Craig Kieswetter.

But despite the wicketkeeper hogging the headlines, the former Walmley man was pleased with the squad as a whole.

He said: "I think that while we were out there we showed that English cricket has got strength in depth and a lot of quality waiting to break through. The game the Lions played against the full England team proved that as we managed to win that match.

"To be fair the full squad had only just jetted out to the UAE, but nevertheless we wanted to show what we could do and took it really seriously.

"Craig was amazing in that match and deserved all the praise, but as a team I think we turned a few heads."

The win against the full England team was a winter highlight for Woakes, who admits that his close-season programme has once again seen him kick on as a player.

He said: "I flew to Florida to work on my game at the beginning of the winter and once again that helped me improve.

"I have been out there a couple of times now and it has helped me every time.

"When you add the Lions tour to that, and the experience I gained while out in the UAE I think this winter has been really good for me.

"I only got back on Saturday and have had a few days off before flying out to South Africa to start preparations with Warwickshire – and I cannot wait."

The amount of air miles Woakes has clocked up over the last few months can only aid him in the long run, he said.

He added: "The tours this winter have been amazing. Going to Dubai was a real eye-opener.

"It is good for players to get used to spending weeks and months away from home. That is what you have to do if you make it as a top player.

"I have been going on tours like this since I was 15 and it does get easier.

"You get used to the travelling and start to focus on the cricket as soon as you land."

Woakes will have to wait until March 30 to find out if he has made it into the final 15 for the World Twenty20.