PHIL Newport was the last Worcestershire pace bowler to play in an Ashes Test 32 years ago before Josh Tongue’s call-up for the second Test of the current series against Australia at Lord’s this week.
Newport featured in two Tests against England’s oldest and fiercest rivals, firstly at Headingley in 1989 and then two years later in February 1991 Perth.
He picked up one wicket – of Dean Jones – and in the second innings struck an unbeaten 40 with the bat as Australia triumphed by nine wickets to win the Series 3-0.
Newport was a key component in the Worcestershire side which won seven trophies in five years in the late 1980s and early 1990s with 825 first class wickets in his career at 26.88.
He said: “I was picked for the first Test of the series in England and it was a proud moment but the series in Australia was done and dusted by the time I played in the fifth Test.
“I got called up from an ‘A’ team tour in Sri Lanka after Angus Fraser got injury and Australia won comfortably and also the series.
“This Test for Josh has more significance with it being only the second of the series, after the closeness of the opening game and being in front of a packed house at Lord’s.
“I first saw Josh in an Under-18s school game in which he was playing as a 14-year-old. He picked up five wickets and bowled with a lot of pace.
“You can see he has got a lot of talent and it’s pleasing to see him put his injuries into the past and have this opportunity.”