YOUNG Worcestershire bowler Adam Finch admits he was more of a football fan when asked to make up the numbers in a club game of soft-ball cricket aged 14.

It was the start of a rapid rise up the cricket ladder by Finch who is completing his A levels at Oldswinford Hospital School.

He already has an ICC Under 19 World Cup under his belt in New Zealand last winter after breaking through at that age group and with the County seconds in 2017.

Finch took 5-19 against a powerful Yorkshire side and is looking to establish himself in the County’s seconds.

He wants another under 19 call-up for the summer series with South Africa and ultimately a senior spot at Blackfinch New Road.

But Finch is aware of the County’s production line of young pace bowling talent.

Finch, 17, said of his start in the sport: “I was about 14. I played football in the Saturday and Sunday league and kind of stumbled into cricket really.

“My godfather’s children were playing a game at one of the local clubs. They were short of players and rang up my dad to see if I wanted a game — and I loved it from there.

“It kind of kickstarted. That was with Trysull and Seisdon, it was a soft-ball game, everyone got a bat and a bowl, and I really enjoyed it.”

Finch became part of the Worcestershire system and took great satisfaction from his performance against Yorkshire seconds ahead of making his under 19s bow against India.

He said: “That was a great moment, a monkey off my back in a sense because you always want to get five wickets.

“To get it against such a strong Yorkshire team was really enjoyable.

“India were tough opponents. They have got some serious players.

“That was a learning experience as well because it shows you what the best in our age group are like.”

In the winter, Finch played with club-mate Dillon Pennington in a Tri-Series Under 19s competition in South Africa when he received news of his World Cup call-up.

He said: “There were a lot of nervous faces around and I was one of them! Dillon and I were sat next to each other and we both weren’t sure what was going on.

“It is kind of a horrible situation to be in but it was great to be selected. I just wanted to let my mum and dad, friends and family know.”

Finch played in three World Cup matches against Canada, Bangladesh and New Zealand, sharing the new ball with Pennington in the latter of the fixtures.

He said: “It was a really enjoyable experience and I have just been trying to learn from that really and bring it back into the summer here.

“It is really good to test yourself against the best players in your age group in the world. It is something I’ll look back on for the rest of my life as one of the greatest things I’ve ever done.”

Finch admits he, Pennington and the other up-and-coming bowlers at New Road act as a driving force to each other.

He said: “There are so many good bowlers here but the first team is everyone’s aim.”