James Anderson

England have often been criticised for not picking young talent.

Date of Birth: 30 July 1982, Burnley, Lancashire  Test Debut: Against Zimbabwe at Lord's, 1st Test, 2003  ODI Debut: Against Australia at Melbourne in 2002/03  Bats: Left Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Fast Medium

England have often been criticised for not picking young talent.

Anderson bucks that trend and he made his international one-day debut after only five limited-over outings for his county.

The height of his ambition at the start of the domestic season was to turn out for Lancashire a "few" times.

Less than a year later, the fast bowler is turning out at the World Cup to cap a meteoric rise.

A spate of injuries on England's tour Down Under led to his call into the senior squad from the Academy and he has since grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

A seamless transition from cricket's backwaters to the big time included the dismissal of Adam Gilchrist on his debut.

Injuries saw him called up to the squad for the VB Series in Australia and he was England's leading wicket-taker at the World Cup with 10 wickets at an average of 22.50.

He won two man-of-the-match awards in the victories against Holland and a matchwinning spell against Pakistan.

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