YOUNG quick bowler Josh Tongue became the first teenager to take five wickets on his Championship debut for Worcestershire for 12 years as the Pears thrashed Glamorgan.
Tongue also became the first Worcestershire player for nine years to take five wickets in an innings on his County Championship debut in the eight-wicket victory which was wrapped up on Easter Sunday with five sessions to spare.
His 5-45 in the second innings saw him emulate the feat of another paceman, Imran Arif, in 2008, also against the Welsh county. Imran returned figures of 5-50 in Glamorgan’s first innings as Worcestershire completed a 10-wicket win.
The last teenager to record a debut five-for was Stuart Wedge, who was also 19 when returning figures of 31-5-112-5 on his first Championship appearance against Essex at New Road in September 2005.
Speaking before the clash in Cardiff against Glamorgan, Tongue said he was pleased to be a part of Worcestershire’s first-team squad.
“We’ve got a great bowling line-up with Leachy (Joe Leach) as captain, Charlie Morris, Jack Shantry and John Hastings,” said the Redditch-born paceman.
“The experience John has had playing for Australia and in the T20s is invaluable and me and some of the lads are already badgering him for tips.
“He’s great with all the lads in the dressing room and with the bowlers in particular,” he added.
The promising teenager was hailed as a ‘real diamond’ by bowling coach Matt Mason but Tongue said he felt no extra pressure from the tag.
“I have just got to be my own person and do the best I can for Worcester,” he said.
“We are lucky to have Mase on the staff with all the experience he has and the wickets he’s taken for the county.”
The 19-year-old admitted he hoped to establish himself in the first 11 in the four-day game but also put himself in contention for selection for the Rapids’ one-day campaign.
Tongue has been part of the set up at New Road since he was just six-years-old and praised the county’s focus on youth development.
“It’s a really good programme from the under-10s all the way up to the Academy and getting a contract,” he added.
Against Glamorgan, Worcesteshire bowled out the hosts for 207 in their first innings and then replied with 403, led by Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 102 and 59 from Ed Barnard.
Tongue’s efforts then helped dismissed the Welsh county for 223 in their second innings to leave Worcestershire to cruise home on 28-2.
Worcestershire return to action on Friday when they face Northamptonshire in the Championship at New Road. Northants have opened their season with two wins from two.