JAMES Anderson's cricket career has taken off as quickly as his bowling.

In the last year, the 20-year-old pace man has gone from playing amateur cricket for Burnley, to making his Lancashire championship debut and his name has been suggested in connection with a possible full England call-up - and soon.

The Burnley fast bowler is currently in Australia with the England Academy but some experts have tipped him for a surprise call-up for the Ashes tour which starts in Brisbane in November.

Darren Gough will miss the first two Tests and injuries to other fast bowlers could give Anderson a chance.

"That would be a dream come true but the main thing for me is to do well at the Academy," said the unassuming Anderson, who left his friends and family for the first time to make the trip to Australia on Sunday.

"We will be doing gym work and play a few matches against Australia and Sri Lanka and we may also get to watch some of the Test matches which will be a great experience."

He daren't even contemplate that he could be taking part in them but, whatever happens, it has been a whirlwind year for Anderson who admits he has known cricket since before he could walk.

His dad Michael played for Burnley and is now team manager of the Turf Moor outfit.

"I have been watching cricket for as long as I can remember," he said.

"I made my debut at 15 and I was so nervous. I remember I took a wicket. I think I was the youngest player to play for Burnley then."

He admits his dad was a big influence on his career, but he also learned a lot about the game from former Burnley professional, Dale Benkenstein.

The South African, who left Turf Moor and became manager of the Canadian national side, helped Burnley finish a stunning fourth the season before last in the Transco Lancashire League.

"Dale was good, it was his approach and knowledge of the game," explained Anderson. "He helped me a lot."

Lancashire had been tracking Anderson, played in the second team but, in May, got the nod and made his Frizzell County Championship debut.

He took two wickets on his debut but his starring role was 6-23 against Hampshire.

"I was so nervous making my debut but the experienced bowlers like Glen Chapple and Peter Martin have helped me.

"They keep talking on the pitch when things aren't going too well. They know what they are doing."

His five star performances soon grabbed the attention of the England selectors and he won a call-up to the Academy and, judging by how the last few months have gone, a full England cap could arrive sooner rather than later.

"It is daunting with what has happened," said a still stunned Anderson.

"I hear people talking about me but I feel like they are talking about someone else."

He did study an NVQ in Business and Finance at St Theodore's but admitted his heart was elsewhere.

"I only ever wanted to play cricket. I never thought I would be able to make a career out of it. I didn't think it would happen but it has been great."