Worcestershire’s promising pace bowler Jack Home has been named in the England Young Lions (Under-19s) squad for the tour of South Africa in the New Year.
The 18-year-old has been chosen for the three Young Lions ODIs and two Tests during January and early February.
Shrewsbury born Home, part of the Worcestershire Academy for four years, was initially selected for a Young Lions three week training camp in Stellenbosch.
Home made a big impact for the Rapids in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and signed a three year contract with Worcestershire in September.
He picked up 16 wickets in five appearances including 6-51 in the away win over Derbyshire, the best List A figures by a Worcestershire bowler for 19 years.
Home also has potential as a batter and scored 29 in helping Tom Taylor put on 65 for the ninth wicket against Warwickshire in the Championship match at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
He 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, said: “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 Young Lions will play a warm-up game against Western Province in Cape Town on January 14 before the Youth ODI and Test fixtures.
England Men U19s squad for tour of South Africa:
Archie Vaughan (Somerset – captain)
Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire)
Tazeem Ali (Warwickshire)
Ben Dawkins (Kent)
Kesh Fonseka (Lancashire – Test squad only)
Alex French (Surrey)
Alex Green (Leicestershire)
Jack Home (Worcestershire)
James Isbell (Middlesex)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Ben Mayes (Hampshire)
James Minto (Durham)
Harry Moore (Derbyshire)
Joe Moores (Lancashire – ODIs only)
Thomas Rew (Somerset)
Aaryan Sawant (Middlesex)
Naavya Sharma (Middlesex)
Alexander Wade (Yorkshire)
England Men U19s tour schedule in South Africa:
Tuesday 14 January: 50-over warm-up – England Men U19s v Western Province CC, Cape Town.
Friday 17 January: 1st Youth ODI – England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s, Western Province CC, Cape Town
Sunday 19 January: 2nd Youth ODI – England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s, Western Province CC, Cape Town
Wednesday 22 January: 3rd Youth ODI – England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
Sunday 26 January – 29 January: 1st Youth Test – England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s, Coetzenburg CC, Stellenbosch
Monday 3 February – 6 February: 2nd Youth Test – England Men U19s v South Africa Men U19s, Western Province CC, Cape Town
