READ captain Warren Eastham is hoping his club has unearthed the next James Anderson.

Oliver Newby, who emerged through the junior ranks at Whalley Road, made his first class debut for Lancashire against Durham University on Wednesday and took his maiden senior wicket.

He won his place in the team because Anderson is on international duty and Eastham believes 18-year-old Newby can follow a similar route to the top as the former Burnley junior.

"We are all very, very proud, it's nice to see him fulfilling his potential," Eastham said.

"He's always been a confident lad and a big part of this club. He went to Blackpool to better his career last year but came back to us this year.

"We knew he would be going forward with Lancashire and tried to give him all the help we can, but what he's achieved is off his own back.

"It's quite easy to be overlooked but he's grafted and made a name for himself. And the opportunity has come at just the right time for him with Anderson and Flintoff being away with England.

"So it could be the start of something good and he could even be the next James Anderson."

But who will be the next Oliver Newby?

Eastham thinks he has the answer to that, with another impressive crop of juniors set to sprout towards the first team.

One of them, Will Driver, is already set for the international stage and has secured a trial with England under-15s.

Eastham said: "When I first came here five years ago we were blessed with experience in the first team and a young youth system so there was a big gap.

"We have three or four juniors imposing themselves on the second team now but Will will soon be 15 and he is pushing for a first team place.

'We've got the strongest batting line-up we've had for many a year so for him to be putting a challenge in is a credit to him.

"Nick Marsh, Geoff Holt and John Doughty are the mainstay of the junior teams, who are awesome at the moment, and the second and third teams are also high in their leagues."

Eastham also feels that the success of Newby is a good advert for the Ribblesdale League, which Read are the reigning champions of.

He added: "Everyone is really chuffed for him and as a league I would say they are very proud as well.

"To see someone come out of our league as a youngster, they can hope he will be the first of many to gain a place up there with some of the best players around Lancashire."

Read's attempt to retain their league title resumes, following last weekend's wash-out, with a double header of fixtures.

Not that the current forecast is much better, but if the games do go ahead Read are at home twice, to Ribblesdale Wanderers on Saturday and Padiham on Sunday.