JAMES Anderson is in line to join Kyle Hogg at the England cricket academy in Australia this winter.
The 20-year-old Burnley paceman has been added to the provisional squad of 20 players that was named by Aussie wicket-keeping legend Rod Marsh and his assistant coach at the academy, the former Lancashire captain John Abrahams, last month.
It is recognition of the impact Anderson has made inside two months since making his Championship debut against Surrey at Old Trafford in late June.
He took two wickets in each innings of that game, added three for 33 against Leicestershire at Grace Road, and then stunned Hampshire with match figures of nine for 50 in Southampton as they couldn't cope with his sheer pace.
It's been a similar story against Hampshire at Old Trafford this week as he took three for 42 in the floodlit National League game on his Sky TV debut, and added another three in the first innings of the Championship game before yesterday's washout.
"Jimmy's come from nowhere in some people's eyes," said Lancashire manager Mike Watkinson.
"But he's been called up not just because of what we've been saying about him, but because of the reports that have come back from the teams we have played.
"I think everyone has been impressed both with his pace and his direction, which has come on so much since he was playing in the second team last year.
"You never know with Jimmy because even when he takes five wickets he doesn't exactly punch the sky, but I think he is quite chuffed.
"His train of thought is exactly the same of mine, that it's a great thing for him to be asked to go to the academy in Australia, and it could be very beneficial to his career.
"But he also has the same reservations as me - that he has worked very closely with the coaching staff at Lancashire to make the progress he has so far, and it's important that whatever happens next doesn't undermine that progress."
Rikki Clarke, the tall all-rounder who played for Surrey against Lancashire in Anderson's debut and has made an equally big impression in the last month, has also been added to the provisional squad which will be whittled down to 12 or 14 at the end of the season.
The Academy has been the source of some of the stars of this season with Glamorgan fast bowler Simon Jones a notable success.
Two other former Academy membesr, Kent batsmen Robert Key and Durham quickie Steve Harmison, are currently making their Test debuts at Trent Bridge.
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