PEARS head coach Alan Richardson says Worcestershire will have the equivalent of a new signing with the availability of pace bowler Josh Tongue for the 2023 season.
The 25-year-old spent 15 months on the sidelines and saw three specialists before sorting out a nerve issue in his shoulder. He only returned to action in August last summer, playing two Royal London Cup games and three County Championship fixtures.
Tongue – and Worcestershire batter Jack Haynes – have been part of the England Lions squad during their tour of Sri Lanka.
Haynes has made several promising contributions in red and white ball cricket, while Tongue picked up eight wickets in the drawn second test in Galle.
Richardson said: “Jack and Josh, they will have benefitted hugely from their involvement with the Lions.
“I’ve spoken to them quite a bit, and just to be in that environment is good for starters. You can see what England are doing at senior level, so there is a bit of a mind shift there, and that has continued on with the Under-19s and Lions.