ANYONE who has doubted the phrase 'there's a first time for everything' should spend a few minutes with James Anderson.

Since leaving his home in Burnley in October last year, his world has turned upside down - fortunately for the better.

After being invited to meet up with England's Cricket Academy for the first time, he went on to make his VB Series debut in Australia, then his World Cup debut in South Africa, breaking and equalling several records along the way.

And the 20-year-old had a few new off-the-field experiences as well.

"I've eaten the most amazing food. Things that I'd never imagined myself eating, like ostrich and kangaroo" he said.

"We'd tried to stay away from fast food so we tried different things, and they weren't bad.

"The beer was pretty good as well."

Not that Anderson spent too much time out drinking, but he enjoyed the occasions they were aloud to go out to relax and celebrate victories.

And Anderson had a huge part to play in England's successes, both in Australia and the World Cup after a memorable New Year's Eve.

Back in October, he thought he was going to be in for a winter of training with the Academy. But his remarkable pace was quickly ear-marked as the key to unlocking Australia and Sri Lanka's attack in the VB Series Down Under.

"We were on a boat in Sydney Harbour when we were told we were going to meet up with England squad," he explained.

"Those who had missed out had been told beforehand so obviously we were all disappointed for them. It put a dampener on their New Year's Eve but, for those who were picked, it meant it was more special.

"There were fireworks on the Harbour Bridge and it was just an amazing night."

During the VB Series, the Lancashire pace ace recorded the most economical one-day figures for an England bowler for over a decade.

After battling through the intense heat of Adelaide, he finished with figures of 10-6-12-1 - the best English return since Ian Botham finished on 2-12 against Pakistan during the 1992 World Cup.

The cricketing world couldn't help but sit up and take notice and he received praise from all ends of the cricket spectrum, including Botham himself and captain Nasser Hussain.

It was only natural after such eye-catching displays that he would be called up for the World Cup squad.

"I would have been disappointed if I wasn't picked to play after having quite a good tour of Australia, but I would have understood why at such an early stage of my career. I was just pleased to be included," he said.

But what should have been the best moment of his lit alone career, was marred by political controversy, death threats and ultimately the postponement of their first scheduled game of the competition in Zimbabwe.