BEN Twohig is inspired by Josh Tongue’s rapid rise as he targets challenging for a Worcestershire first-team spot next summer.

The spinner has become a second XI regular and captained the side at times last summer, mainly in the T20.

And the former Malvern College student, 19, feels he is going in the right direction to achieve his goals.

Twohig said: “It’s been hard and up and down like any career as a sportsman. But we are definitely turning the corner now and getting there.

“Hopefully next season I will try to break into the first team and give it a good go — any format really. I started playing in the second team when I was 15 so 2017 has been my fourth summer of playing senior cricket.”

Twohig continued: “I played my first second XI game against Yorkshire and there was Jack Leaning, Jack Brooks and Matthew Fisher.

"Then this year we played them and they had Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett and Ben Coad in the team.

“With sportsman’s careers going up and down, you find yourself playing against people like Jonathan Trott. It is good experience.

“If you look here at Tonguey, who this year has done so well, it’s fast-tracked him so quickly into the (England) Lions and he deserves it.

“He’s had a brilliant season and it shows just how quickly things can happen. It is about breaking through, which is one of the hardest bits, and then staying there really.

“I’ve always said I’d rather have a long career and not break until the first team until later and play until I’m older rather than break in at 17 and not be playing at 24.

“Everything takes time and people are different. Some mature and learn their trade quicker than others. Some take longer.”