By Editor
April 30 2003

Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson has been handed a central contract by the ECB in a move which will see his appearances for the County determined by England coach Duncan Fletcher.

Anderson, 20, has been England's main strike bowler since joining up with the main squad from the academy for the VB Series in Australia last year.

On the news, he said: "It's great news and I'm really thrilled to get a contract for the summer".

The pair join the nine other players who are now contracted until the end of eptember, and expect to be heavily involved in this summer's tests and one-day internationals against Zimbabwe, Pakistan and South Africa.

Anderson, a former player of Burnley Cricket Club, made limited apperances for Lancashire last season before his quick spells saw him selected for the national side in the same year that he made his first class debut.

After restricting Australia to just 12 runs from his 10 overs during a one-day match in the VB Series in Adelaide, he starred in the World Cup, taking 4-25 against Holland in England's opening game.

His form continued into the new County season with 5-61 in Surrey's first innings at the AMP Oval in the first Championship match of 2003.

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