WORCESTERSHIRE pace duo Dillon Pennington and Adam Finch are in the England squad for the ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand next month.

They have earned their call-up after being selected for the first half of the Young Lions winter programme.

The pair helped England reached the Tri-Series final in Potchefstroom with a 100 per cent record before narrowly losing to hosts South Africa.

Their selection continues a fine tradition for Worcestershire in the Under 19s World Cup.

Joe Clarke and Ed Barnard were in the 2014 squad who reached the semi-finals and both are now established in the County side.

In the summer of 2016 five County players were in the initial under 19s squad for the series with Sri Lanka when Ollie Westbury scored 196 in the first Test.

It is another proud moment for academy coach Elliot Wilson who has overseen the development of Pennington and Finch.

Wilson said: “We are all at the club overjoyed to see Dillon and Adam selected for the world cup.

“I personally take great pride in seeing lads from our academy represent England under 19s.

“The boys are enigmas really as neither were involved in the system from an early age and have kind of gatecrashed the programme over the last six to 12 months.

“They are going to have a wonderful experience in New Zealand at the world cup.”

Assistant coach Matt Mason said: “The lads are good kids and have worked exceptionally hard and deserve their chance. Their recognition is thoroughly deserved.”

County chairman Stephen Taylor said: “Congratulations to Dillon and Adam and it is another indication of the conveyor belt of young talent being produced and nurtured at Worcestershire.

“We have seen Joe and Ed come through the under 19s and go on to become key members of the first team and let’s hope Dillon and Adam eventually follow the same path.

“It is also another indication of the excellent work of Elliot with the academy and long may it continue.”

Pennington was part of the County’s satellite academy at Shropshire for two years.

He joined the academy halfway through 2015-2016 and was part of the 2016-2017 intake.

Pennington, who is 6ft 5ins, plays Birmingham League cricket for Shrewsbury and made his seconds debut in a friendly at Gloucestershire in the summer.

Finch is starting his second year in the academy and made his England under 19s debut this summer, playing in two one-day internationals against India.

He took his first five-wicket haul for the seconds against Yorkshire and won the Damian D’Oliveira academy player of the year award.

The world cup runs from January 15 until February 3.

Meanwhile, Clarke helped England Lions overcome a strong Perth Scorchers line-up by 12 runs to become the first winners at Western Australia’s new stadium.

He gave the Lions a breezy start with 18 from eight balls including two fours and one six until he drove England star David Willey to mid-off.

Lions totalled 160-6 and Scorchers closed on 148-9.