A polished pre-season display with the ball has left Jack Home raring to go after the 19-year-old seamer shone with his three-wicket haul against Glamorgan at Kidderminster CC.
The young bowler, known for his raw pace, showed control and discipline during his various spells earlier this week, as he and his Worcestershire teammates continued to bank some crucial overs with the domestic season honing into view.
Jack, explained a shift in mindset, focussing on a more intrinsic approach, has helped him to sharpen his focus and feel in control at the top of his mark.
“I have been trying to look internally at my performance, not think too much about what the batter is doing, or the outcome of the ball, just focusing on my processes and knowing if I run up, it feels good and it’s in a good area, then no matter what happens down the other end I am being positive about it.
“It’s always nice to take wickets. As a bowler that is my job and you work hard for your figures to look nice, so it’s quite a good feeling to have the stats to back it up. I feel like I put in quite a lot of hard work over the winter, and it’s nice to see the hard work paying off, because I think if I had been in this same situation last year, I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable bowling at these types of batters.”
Jack, who signed a contract extension with the Club in September 2024, has risen through the ranks and enjoyed a bright start to his senior career with the Pears, in a journey that has seen the fast-bowler represent England at U19 level.
Despite the highs of being away on tour with the Three Lions, the seamer says enjoying an uninterrupted winter block at home and bedding into the professional mindset has been the biggest factor in the youngster’s renewed vigour ahead of the 2026 campaign.
“Having a winter of training with the professionals has helped massively, being a professional cricketer and improving my mindset a bit has been important because last year it was a bit stop, start.
“I went away the Under 19s which was a great experience for other reasons, but in terms of the little things like turning up early in the morning, getting your work done, etc, becoming a more genuine professional has been so valuable.
“I’ve had a full winter of that, and coming into this environment now, I sort of feel like I’ve almost earned my stripes in a way, like I have worked hard to earn a bit more respect from people. I’ve had a year of playing, another winter of bowling, and you know now I feel like I’m in a really good spot.”
The changes have not been entirely emotionally driven however, with a subtle technical alteration to his set-up playing a huge part in the seam bowler’s excellent start to pre-season.
Three wickets, all registered against left handers, was a particular highlight for Jack, who has spent the winter mapping out his approach to the crease and plans to challenge more of the opposition by being more aggressive in how he attacks the stumps.
“All of last season and in the winter I’ve sort of struggled bowling at left handers and finding a way to get left handers out. Whether coming around, or going over, kind of playing with that has been a big focus.
“Before these games, I didn’t really know what my plan was going to be, but I found some nice technical and tactical things coming around the wicket, especially to the left handers, I felt very threatening.
“Even against the right handers, I had a close one that was nicked through the slips but I am ok with that because I am making things happen. I’ve had it before when I am bowling, and it feels like I’m not really making any chances or like I am actually in the game, but feeling in the game and feeling like I am making chances is really nice.”
Perhaps the biggest sign that will encourage Worcestershire supporters even more than his impressive displays at Kidderminster, is his drive and renewed attitude when discussing his thoughts on selection, as he vies for a place in the opening Rothesay County Championship clash away at Derbyshire, next Friday.
Even with seam bowler Ben Allison a doubt through injury, Jack is focussed on forcing his way into the selection debate on merit, ahead of this weekend’s final pre-season outing against Warwickshire.
“I am just really excited. Hopefully I’m selected for that, if not, I will be here at Kiddy, ready to go.
“I’m just sort of trying to do as much as I can to be in the frame for that first game. Because obviously with with one of the lads out, there’s a spot up for grabs, and, you know, Benny, is real close, but it does provide an opportunity. I’m looking at that spot and I’m going for it as hard as I can, practising as hard as I can, putting as much effort as I can.
“If I’m not picked, then I can take confidence in the fact I was close to the squad or challenging for it, and also, if I’m doing those things, I’m making myself a better cricketer, and I’m practising harder.
“I’m just going to put myself in the frame by doing as much as I can and we’ll just see what happens.”
