WORCESTERSHIRE pace ace Josh Tongue will make his England debut for the one-off test against Ireland at Lords
The academy product will form part of an attack which includes Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts for the clash tomorrow (Thursday) with Chris Woakes missing out.
With the first Ashes test just a fortnight away, England continue to have injury concerns over Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson.
Tongue said the experience would be one of learning and said he was looking forward to sharing a dressing room with the likes of Broad, Joe Root et al.
“Someone told me Anderson was already playing for England when I first played for Worcestershire as a six-year-old. It’s crazy that isn’t it?, “ said Tongue.
“But it shows how long his career has been and how successful and dedicated he has been. It is amazing.
“He is still doing the business now and is a shining example.”
It was Freddie Flintoff who Tongue admired during his formative years when he was a staunch England follower.
“I used to love seeing Flintoff play but also watching Stuart Broad go about his business,” he said.
“I’d watch England at Edgbaston and Lord’s, with my dad mainly, and look at hopefully being there myself one day. It has just always been a dream, at whatever age.”
Tongue added: “I’ve never played at Lord’s, one of the few grounds I’ve not played at. We were supposed to play Middlesex there just before COVID and that got called off.
“It is going to be my first time in the dressing room, which is going to be exciting in front of a big crowd, the first Test of the summer.
“It will be great looking over that balcony. I’ve heard people say it is an amazing view.
Tongue feels he is regaining full fitness after his lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury.
He said: “I needed three or four games and overs under my belt. I’m getting there slowly, and now being involved with the England squad is going to help me even more when I get back to playing for Worcestershire.
“This experience is going to benefit me for the Worcestershire season as well, which I’m looking forward to.