Worcestershire Seconds will launch the 2015 campaign with a two day away friendly against Loughborough MCCU starting tomorrow (Wednesday).
Second Eleven coach Kevin Sharp – who is also the county's batting coach – has chosen paceman Chris Russell to skipper the side against the students.
England Under-19 duo Joe Clarke and Ed Barnard, who have enjoyed successful winters in Australia with South Perth and Queanbeyan District respectively, are included in what is their first season as fully fledged professionals.
Clarke scored the county's highest ever score in the Second Eleven Championship of 222 against MCC Young Cricketers last summer.
Spinner Ben Twohig, who was recently part of the England Development Programme Under-17 side which faced Pakistan Under-17s in the UAE, is also named.
Paceman Graeme Whiles has recovered after the knee operation which meant he missed the county's pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi.
The Seconds finished last season with a trio of victories in three-day matches against Middlesex, Northamptonshire and Hampshire respectively.
Worcestershire Seconds: Joe Clarke (wkt), Freddie Wynn, George Rhodes, Alex Hepburn, Ed Barnard, Nick Hammond, Ben Twohig, Josh Tongue, Chris Russell (capt), Lee Tyrill, Graeme Whiles.
*The Seconds will entertain Somerset in a two-day friendly at New Road on March 31 and April 1.
