DILLON Pennington recalled a “surreal few months” in which he has made massive strides forward ahead of Sunday’s Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final at Blackfinch New Road (11am).

The County academy product was propelled into England’s Under 19 World Cup squad and played in five of the six games.

Pennington signed his first professional contract for the County with a two-year deal which kicked in from June 1.

He then made his first-team debut and was praised by head coach Kevin Sharp for his performance in the nail-biting cup final group win at Warwickshire.

Now Pennington, 19, would love to play in front of a full house in the semi-final with Kent Spitfires.

He said: “It was unbelievable to make my first-team debut in such a game.

“I found out on the morning of the game I was playing. I’d had a bit of a sleepless night beforehand anyway just wondering if I was playing.

“When I heard I was it was an unbelievable feeling. I was so surprised and it has given me a massive confidence boost that they have trusted me and obviously think I’ve got the ability to be included in the team.

“I’d had a bit of an ankle issue over the last couple of weeks and luckily I got through some overs for the seconds, bowled alright and showed I was fit.

“When I said at the start of the season I wanted to make my debut this season I didn’t think it would actually happen so soon.

“Making my debut with my family there helped to make it an awesome day. I won’t forget it.

“I would love to have a chance to play in the semi-final although I will take nothing for granted. I just hope I put myself up for selection.”

Pennington was the seventh bowler used by Rapids and he says Moeen Ali, standing in as captain for the injured Joe Leach, was a great help.

He said: “I think I did OK. I had a bit of time in the field before I bowled to just chill out and get used to the surroundings.

“Mo was unbelievable to be with. He kept me being simple with what I did with the ball and kept talking to me which was the main thing.

“I like to be calm about things and I was because I was by him. He was a great help.

“It was a great feeling to be alongside an international player and I’ve always looked up to him.

"I couldn’t believe I was standing in the middle of Edgbaston ready to bowl with him standing next to me.”

Pennington added: “It’s been a surreal few months and everything that has happened has given me so much confidence.

“Playing in the world cup was a fantastic experience. Coming up against the best players in the world in your age group makes you feel a lot more confident in yourself.

“Then when I got back to Worcestershire they gave me my first pro contract and knowing they wanted to take me on full-time was also a really huge confidence boost.

“I just want to keep on learning. The academy was brilliant, training three or four times a week with all the professional staff and the coaches.

“Second-team cricket is also a big learning curve, playing alongside some top pros and against quality players, and things like game awareness have really come on for me.”