European EurAsia Cup Captain Darren Clarke has selected former world No.1 Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter as his two captain’s picks for next month’s EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.

Clarke has chosen to add the experience of the English pair, who have a combined 14 appearances in Europe’s Ryder Cup team, to his 12-man squad for the second edition of the tournament which runs from Jan. 15-17.

Westwood and Poulter join compatriot Ross Fisher and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson as players with Ryder Cup experience in the European team.

And the selection of Poulter and Westwood has to be seen as a step towards the pair being named later next year as European Ryder Cup vice-captains if, of course, either fail to qualify automatically for the European Team.

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood given ‘wildcard’ picks for 2016 EurAsia Cup.

Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg, the English quartet of Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and Chris Wood, Dane Soren Kjeldsen, Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger are also in the team.

Clarke will have the opportunity to test his mettle as Europe captain ahead of next September’s Ryder Cup at Kuala Lumpur’s Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

He said: “We have a very young and exciting team heading to Malaysia in January, and to add the vast experience of Ian and Lee into the mix gives us a very strong and balanced side as we look to take the EurAsia Cup trophy back to Europe.

“Having played in a total of 14 Ryder Cups, Ian and Lee have proven themselves two of the most fearsome match players in the game and their presence in the team room and their ability to share their vast knowledge of the European team environment will be hugely important for us in Malaysia.”

Team Asia, captained by Jeev Milkha Singh of India, will name their team on December 15.