Worcestershire paceman Josh Tongue has linked up with England Under-19s in preparation for the forthcoming Test series against India Under-19s.
The Under-19s are set to play the Unicorns in a two day match starting tomorrow ahead of the two game Test series. The first Test match is at Queen's Park, Chesterfield from July 23 to 26 with New Road hosting the second from July 31 to August 3.
Tongue had been due to make his Under-19s Test debut last summer but pulled out after suffering an injury in a warm-up fixture ahead of the opening match versus Sri Lanka Under-19s at Fenners.
He is Worcestershire's second highest wicket-taker in the Specsavers County Championship with 34 victims.
Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Josh has gone with the Under-19s for the first Test at Chesterfield. He has got a little warm-up game with them at Loughborough as well.
"It will be nice for him to get his Under-19 cap and we are always mindful of making sure we balance the right amount of cricket and the quality of cricket of all the players.
"But to play England Under-19s is as important as well because you are representing your country.
"That's one of the things we want as coaches for them to achieve, international status, be it Under-19s, Lions or the full side."
Tongue has already revealed his ambitions to eventually play for the full England side althugh he recognises he still has much to learn.
Rhodes said: "It is nice he has got that drive and goal to try and be an England player but there are stepping stones along the way.
"Some people jump stepping stones and some people naturally take that course, Under-19s, regular first team cricket, Lions, and then the national side."
