WORCESTERSHIRE'S Josh Tongue has been relishing his first England Lions trip abroad.

The County paceman wants to create a favourable impression bowling in the nets to the likes of Test captain Joe Root and record run-scorer Alastair Cook as they prepare for the Ashes Down Under.

He admits it will be “surreal” to meet one of his cricketing inspirations in England’s record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson and is eager to pick his brains.

Tongue, 20, dreams of playing for his country and is determined to learn as much as he can after being drafted into the Lions set-up and do enough to be selected for the new year tour of the West Indies.

He completed a four-day training camp with the Lions at the National Performance Centre, Loughborough, before flying out to Australia with the squad this week.

Tongue, who finished last summer with 47 County Championship wickets, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the training camp. It’s been a good four days.

“I’ve done some bowling drills but also fielding, batting and gym work, a bit of everything really.

“I’ve learnt a lot off Mase (Worcestershire's Matt Mason) and the Lions people have different experiences.

"It’s good to take those things on board as well and nail down the things I want to work on. It is all part of a big learning curve for me.”

The Lions will play a three-day match and three T20s before flying home for Christmas but will also link up with the senior England players in practice.

Tongue said: “I’m going to be bowling at the England boys and it will be great to talk to people like Jimmy, Stuart Broad and the other guys.

“This will help to improve my cricket I reckon, mentally as well. When it comes to bowling, I want to try to learn as much as I can and then put it into practice.

“If I can talk to them, hopefully take it into my game and become a better cricketer myself, that will help to bring success for Worcestershire next year.

“I’ve been a big fan of Jimmy and watching him since I was about 10. It is going to be surreal meeting him and seeing how he goes about things.”

Tongue added: “I didn’t really want the county season to end with the good run I had and not being injured all summer. I just wanted to keep on playing.

“I think it is everyone’s dream as a cricketer to play for England and in an Ashes, especially in Australia as well. I’ll definitely be looking forward to that in the future.”