Worcestershire CCC Academy coach Elliot Wilson has praised the performances of three members of the 2014-2015 Academy intake who will today play for an England Development Programme Invitational X1 against Australia Under-19s.
Spinner Ben Twohig, paceman Josh Tongue and all-rounder Ollie Westbury will face the Aussies in a two day game at Loughborough National Cricket Performance Centre.
It is a recognition of the potential shown by the New Road trio who have all played Second Eleven cricket at various stages this summer.
The EDP X1 consists of the next rung of players outside the existing EDP cohort and players from this side could potentially come into Under 19 recognition this summer and future contention for EDP places this winter.
Twohig has already played for the England Development side against Pakistan Under-17s in Dubai during last winter.
Wilson said: "The three lads have done well. Ben went away with the (England DP) group in February to Dubai and had a good time out there so he was obviously on their radar.
"Josh Tongue has had a really strong winter, has come to the party a bit late in the sense he was a little bit outside of the Academy this time last year.
"He got onto the Academy on the back of some strong performances and some exciting potential and now finds himself top of the list in terms of bowlers going from the Academy into the second eleven.
"Kevin Sharp (Second Eleven coach) has been very impressed with him as well.
"Ollie Westbury has come out of a fantastic schoolboy season with Shrewsbury School and converted that form straight into runs in second team cricket with a great 100 against Notts.
"The boys are doing really well and I am really pleased for them."
The match is part of Australia's preparations for the forthcoming Under-19 ODI and Test series against England.
Worcestershire batting legend Graeme Hick is in charge of the Australian party and they will play an ODI at New Road on Saturday August 22.
