WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Josh Tongue has linked up with England under 19s in preparation for the forthcoming Test series against India.

England are set to play the Unicorns in a two-day match from tomorrow at Loughborough ahead of the two-game series.

The first Test match is at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, from July 23 until 26 with Worcestershire’s New Road hosting the second from July 31 until August 3.

Tongue had been due to make his under 19s Test debut last summer but pulled out after suffering an injury in a warm-up fixture ahead of the opener against Sri Lanka at Fenners.

He is Worcestershire’s second highest wicket-taker in Specsavers County Championship Division Two cricket this season with 34 victims.

County director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Josh has gone with the under 19s for the first Test at Chesterfield.

“He has got a little warm-up game with them at Loughborough as well.

“It will be nice for him to get his under 19 cap and we are always mindful of making sure we balance the right amount of cricket and the quality of cricket of all the players.

“But to play England under 19s is as important as well because you are representing your country.

“That’s one of the things we want as coaches for them to achieve — international status, be it under 19s, Lions or the full side.”

Tongue, who also turns out for Malvern’s Barnards Green, has already revealed his ambitions to eventually play for the full England side although recognises he still has much to learn.

Rhodes added: “It is nice he has got that drive and goal to try to be an England player but there are stepping stones along the way.

“Some people jump stepping stones and some people naturally take that course, under 19s, regular first-team cricket, Lions and then the national side.”