BRAD Wheal admitted it was “incredible” to take a wicket on his first-class debut.

The 18 year-old became Hampshire’s youngest opening bowler in living memory when he took the new ball against Middlesex.

And he made an immediate impact, bowling former England batsman Sam Robson at the end of his third over before the visitors closed on 102-3 in reply to Hampshire’s 413.

Wheal said: “It’s incredible to think that only a couple of months ago I was nowhere compared to where I am now. It’s been an incredible journey and this tops it off.

“I didn’t expect to play this early and am really glad to have been given a go. It was frustrating sitting on the sidelines but it’s a really good to get a shot now.

“It was a privilege to bowl in front of guys like Fidel and good to get a go up front with the new ball on a nice green deck and get it moving around nicely.

”I can certainly hold my head up high. I felt great, a bit nervous up front but I got into a good rhythm and it came out all right.”

Wheal, who finished with 1-39 from his eight overs, is younger than Chris Tremlett was when the Surrey star took a wicket with his first first-class delivery against New Zealand A in 2000.

He addeed: “It was a good day, we got a good total on the board after the rain and did well to get a couple of wickets before the close of play.

“It’s put got us in a good position. Hopefully we’ll put them under pressure and get a good score. The guys had a tough first couple of games but have been working really hard in the nets and have taken a lot of pressure off us and put it on Middlesex.”