JAMES Anderson walks tall with his shoulders back.

But while Cricket's latest England international has every reason to puff out his chest with pride, his 6ft 2ins frame and confident swagger masks a shy young man who still seems bewildered by his recent spell in the spotlight.

On Christmas Eve, he was invited to visit the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley, Coun Gordon and Mrs Kathleen Birtwistle, so they could congratulate the home-grown star during his brief return to the town. But the 20-year-old pace bowler, who earned plaudits after taking the wickets of Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilhara Fernando after being called up for the one-day matches against Australia and Sri Lanka, wonders what all the fuss is about.

Still jet-lagged after two days of travelling, James arrived at Burnley Town Hall with dad Michael, mum Catherine and sister Sarah, and the family was shepherded up the marble staircase for tea and cakes, and an informal chat with the dignitaries.

One gets the impression the former St Theodore's High School pupil will have to get used to such attention after he was handed a surprise call-up to England's injury-ravaged squad and made a real name for himself 'Down Under'. His impressive debut at the MCG was made more memorable as he snatched the wicket of Adam Gilchrist - one of the best one-day batsmen in the world. He followed that up by dismissing Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilhara Fernando.

"I was already out in Australia expecting to spend six months with the England Academy in Adelaide. We were mainly working on fitness training but also a few things on the technical side, making minor changes to my run-up," he said.

While preparing for two matches against Stateside, Academy coach Rob Marsh informed James his spell with them had been cut short - for all the right reasons.

"We were staying in apartments in Canberra when he came up to me and said 'Pack your bags. You're playing for England'. He had to say it a few times for it to sink in," James beamed.

"They were playing in Melbourne, which was an hour's flight from where we were. I had an hour to pack then set off, got a taxi to the hotel, met the manager and then met everyone else the following morning.

"It took me a while to get to know everyone but they just treated me as if I was part of the team." As if a reminder to himself, he added: "Well, I am now.

"When it came to putting my kit on for the match, I didn't have a clue where to start.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking going out to bat but I knew if I didn't look around too much I'd be okay. The ground was huge, even with one stand that had been knocked down. And if it wasn't bad enough making my debut I was facing the fastest bowler in the world as well, which was a bit more daunting." That was Australian Brett Lee, who eventually dismissed James.

"My palms were sweaty to say the least but Craig White, who was batting with me, helped me through it."

James, who had been barracked by the Aussies when he had walked out to bat, soon silenced the natives when he snatched the prize wicket of Gilchrist.

"My first wicket was a good feeling. I tried to tell myself it was just another batter at the other end, just try to forget who they were and do what I do best. It wasn't until the next morning when I read about it in the papers that it sank in," he said.

"It's unbelieveable the things that have been written about me and said by former cricketers. But it's only since I got back that I've found that out.

"The Australian Press aren't bothered about the English or Sri Lankans so you don't really get the same sort of feedback out there. But since I've been home I've been hearing the things that have been said and written and it's amazing."

Despite a whirlwind end to the year, he hasn't been swept away with it. James' modesty is 100 per cent genuine.

"Six months ago I was playing for Burnley Cricket Club in the Lancashire League," he said. "I had a good season with Lancashire and then I got a surprise call-up and did all right."

All right? Beans on toast is all right. James' progress since the summer has been nothing short of phenomenal, not to mention well earned. But you won't hear him say that.

In fact, when I ask if he will still go and watch Burnley CC when he can, his intense dark eyes narrow as if to suggest I've asked a very silly question indeed.

"Of course. I'll definitely still go back and see the team," he said.

"I don't feel any different as a person. I still keep in touch with quite a few of the lads as well via e-mail and telephone. They help me keep my feet on the ground because I'm just their mate and they still take the Mickey out of me, so that's good."

And he celebrated Christmas Eve with some of his former team-mates so he could catch up with them before jetting back to Australia today.

"I'll be back there for the next four one-day games, five if we get to the final, and then hopefully it will be onto the World Cup," he said.

"I don't think I'll be involved in the Test, I'll just train with the squad during the Test matches but I don't think I'll be in the squad."

But if he maintains this marked determination, surely it won't be long before he answers another call.