NEW Lancashire overseas star Steve Elworthy is primed for the biggest challenge of his cricketing career.

The 31-year-old former Rishton professional, born in Zimbabwe, arrived at Old Trafford in time for the first friendly of the season - a three day game against Roses rivals Yorkshire.

And the South African knows that his work is cut out to fill the shoes of Pakistan ace Wasim Akram.

Elworthy met up with his new colleagues on the pre-season trip to Jamaica when Mike Watkinson's men won four games before drawing a three-day match with Jamaica and losing a one-day game at Sabina Park.

And he was immediately amongst the runs with 57 not out against Jamaica, supporting Mike Atherton's 117.

Elworthy admits that he was surprised to be approached by Lancashire.

"It was a call out of the blue. It is normally a job for Test players," he said.

"It is different to Wasim's situation because I am here for one year only.

"But they are going to get 150 per cent from me and hopefully I will help the balance of the side.

"It is a wonderful opportunity and I will give them everything I've got," he said.

Elworthy is, though, alien to the daily grind of the county championship.

Playing for Transvaal and Northern Transvaal he has only experienced an eight-game first class season spread over six months, with just one day-night competition.

"It is not going to be as physically demanding," he said.

"In South Africa it is very competitive because players build up for games for two weeks.

"Here, if you have more than 17 games, you can slide one or two and still be competetive."

In the 1994/95 season he took 33 wickets for Northern Transvaal at an average of 28.06 and with a best of seven for 65.

Skipper Watkinson is full of optimism for Elworthy and his role as pace back-up to Glen Chapple and Peter Martin.

"He is a very experienced cricketer and has fitted in with the rest of the lads quite readily.

"Steve seemed to enjoy the fun the lads created.

"The England A lads who toured South Africa said he was the most hostile bowler they came across," he said.

And departing coach David Lloyd was quick to dismiss contrasts with Wasim.

"Steve is a rock solid performer and he has bags of experience.

"He's Peter Martin's double in the way he performs - a very similar bowler who moves the ball away from the right hander at a decent pace.

"He has a terrific attitude and I felt we needed a player to supplement the pace attack this season," said the new England coach. In his one season with Rishton in 1992, Elworthy took 86 wickets at an average of 15.34, scoring 536 runs at an average of 26.8.

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