A TEENAGER from Marshfield has described being handed his Gloucestershire cap as “a dream come true” after making a shock debut.

Patrick Grieshaber, 17, got an unexpected call-up to play in the County Championship game against Glamorgan at the County Ground in Bristol on Saturday after wicketkeeper Cameron Herring broke his finger in the warm-up.

With on-loan former England star Geraint Jones having returned to Kent early with an eye injury and first choice glovesman Gareth Roderick still recovering from a broken finger of his own, Gloucestershire were granted permission to make the late switch by Glamorgan and the ECB for his registration.

Grieshaber was spotted by former Gloucestershire and England wicketkeeper Jack Russell a few years ago when playing for Marshfield and the Academy player was due to play club cricket for Downend on Saturday before being drafted in.

He was presented with his county cap by club treasurer Tony Elgood before play on the second day and went on to score ten in a 36-run eighth wicket stand with Benny Howell in Gloucestershire’s first innings.

“It was a dream come true to be presented with my Gloucestershire cap here at the County Ground, Grieshaber told the club’s website.

“It is something I have thought about coming up through the schoolboy ranks and, of course, it has happened a lot quicker than I could have expected.

“My parents are very proud and so am I. It is a day I will always remember.

“It is a massive step up from club cricket because the bowlers do so much more with the ball.

“It’s all about concentration and keeping your eye on it as it moves around. I am enjoying every minute of the experience.”

Gloucestershire suffered another blow this week when a scan revealed that captain Michael Klinger, already ruled out of the game against Glamorgan, has suffered a broken toe after being struck on the foot in the T20 Blast game against Hampshire.

It is not yet known how long he will be out for but he is expected to miss the next two Championship matches.

With Herring ruled out for six weeks and Roderick not expected to return until next month’s Cheltenham Festival, Gloucestershire have signed Adam Rouse as wicketkeeper/batsman to strengthen the squad.

After impressing in recent Second XI games against Gloucestershire, Rouse, 21, has been offered a one month trial with the club and will share the first team duties with Grieshaber.

Previously, he has played for England under-19s and was on a development contract with Hampshire.

He scored an excellent match-winning hundred against Gloucestershire seconds earlier on this season for Surrey.

Rouse is expected to join the rest of the Gloucestershire squad on Thursday ahead of their NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Middlesex at Lord’s.

James Fuller and Craig Miles also remain on the sidelines for Gloucestershire and are not expected to return before the Cheltenham Festival, which starts on Monday, July 14.