PROMISING Worcestershire pace bowler Jack Home has received a call-up to England’s under-19 squad for their tour of South Africa in the New Year.
The 18-year-old will represent the Young Lions in three ODI’s and two tests during January and early February.
Home impressed for Worcestershire Rapids in the One-Day Cup last season and signed a three-year contract with the Pears in September.
Home said: “To get called up by England under-19s for the first time is the icing on the cake of a special period for me.
“I had started the 2024 season expecting to be playing under-18 cricket and hopefully to get an opportunity in the Seconds.
“It’s been an amazing experience for me being part of the first team, particularly during the One-Day Cup, and being made so welcome.
“I know I’ve still got so much to learn and the Young Lions will be the next part of that learning curve and hopefully I can then bring that back to Worcestershire and continue to develop.”
Worcestershire head coach, Alan Richardson, added: “Delighted for Jack to get selected by the under-19s and what an exciting cricketer he is.
“He wasn’t overawed by playing at all and there is a bit of character and personality about him and he likes competing and is someone who can bowl quickly and make things happen.
“But there is also potential with his batting, which he has spent a lot of time working on, and in time hopefully that will progress nicely with the more exposure he has at first team level.”
The pace bowler took 16 wickets in five One-Day Cup appearances including 6-51 against Derbyshire – the best List A figures by a Worcestershire bowler for 19 years.
The Young Lions will play a warm-up game against Western Province in Cape Town on January 14 before the youth ODI and test fixtures.
