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

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

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

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

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