Jack Home called up for England under-19s tour of South Africa

The 18-year-old fast bowler, who went to Shrewsbury School and plays for Shifnal in the Birmingham League, burst onto the scene in 2024, making his debut for Worcestershire in all three formats.  

Home took 16 wickets in his five Metro Bank One Day Cup appearances - including 6-51 against Derbyshire. 

And now, he is set to be part of the 18-man squad heading to South Africa to take part in two Youth Test Matches and three Youth One Day Internationals. 

Home 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.”

Warwickshire spinner, Tazeem Ali, has also been called up to play in the series. 

The 18-year-old was the fourth leading wicket-taker at the under-19 World Cup in 2024. 

Ali said: “It’s another chance for me to play with some of the best young players in the country and be around some top coaches. I think this is the fourth time I’ve been involved with England under-19s squads, and I feel my game has improved each time.

“Matches against South Africa will be a good test, I want to do well and go at the games hard.”

The team will be led by Archie Vaughan - the son of former England captain and now cricket pundit Michael Vaughan. 

They head to Cape Town first as they play Western Province CC in a warm-up game. 

They play two ODI's at Western Province CC against South Africa on Friday, January 17 and Sunday, 19 before moving to Stellenbosch for the third and final match of the series on Wednesday, January 22. 

The first Youth Test will begin on Sunday, January 26 at Coetzenburg CC - and will last four days. 

And the final match of the series will see the touring party return to Cape Town to play at Western Province once more beginning on Monday, February 3.