Kevin Latouf is celebrating the biggest week of his career - after making his Hampshire debut 48 hours after his England under-19s call-up.

The top order batsman made his first team debut against Surrey today as a replacement for Kevin Pietersen, after the England batsman was pulled out of the C & G Trophy quarter final tie following his call up for the first Ashes Test.

Latouf has been rewarded for his brilliant second XI form by being included in England Under-19s' one-day and Test squad for their two series against Sri Lanka, starting later this month.

The 19-year old opener, who lives in Bishop's Waltham, will play in three ODIs at New Road, Worcester and then twice under the gaze of the Sky TV cameras at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The three Under-19 Tests are at Shenley, Scarborough and Headingley in August.

Latouf is the third Hampshire youngster to attain Under-19 international recognition this year, David Griffiths and Mitchell Stokes having toured India in January and February.

Latouf, right, has scored 284 championship runs at 56.80, and is also averaging 117 in four Trophy games for the second XI this year.

He was born in Pretoria but was raised in Fareham and went to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College after attending Millfield School on a tennis scholarship.

Manager Paul Terry said: "We didn't want to harm KP's chances of playing next week so he was rested, but this is a great opportunity for Latouf.

"He's been playing well for the second XI, his confidence is pretty high, he's got a few hundreds."

Pietersen is now unlikely to be available to Hampshire for the rest of the summer, with the possible exception.

Terry added: "I thought they might stick with Thorpe for at least one more game but the way KP played the other day twisted the arms of the selectors.

"We're delighted that Chris has been called up, it's brilliant for him and the club and it's nice to know that they're looking at him.

"It means he will have an extra incentive when he plays for us because he is likely to be the one that gets his chance in the event of an injury."

Read England Under-19s coach Andy Pick on Kevin Latouf in tomorrow's Pink.