LOCAL hero James Anderson showed another side to his game as Burnley Cricket Club turned up the heat to see off their footballing counterparts.

The England pace bowler interrupted his whirlwind summer to make a special appearance alongside his former Lancashire League team mates in the annual Turf Moor grudge match.

And Anderson, 20, proved he was no pushover with the bat as the number three hammered some erratic bowling for a quickfire unbeaten 50 to help steer the hosts to a 36-run victory.

The Burnley bowler said: "I found out about the game at the weekend and I've only managed to play in it once before.

"I had the week off from international duty, so I thought I would ask the guys at England if I could have a game.

"They said they didn't mind because it is just a bit of a laugh and nothing too strenuous.

"I'm not sure now though, having faced some of that bowling!"

In blistering heat and watched by a healthy crowd, the cricketers wasted no time getting stuck into the Clarets' attack, posting an impressive 254-4 from 25 overs.

Gareth Halley and David Brown smashed 41 runs each before retiring to allow the middle order to have their say, with Anderson and Andy McLeod, who scored 31, doing more damage.

In reply, the Clarets always looked like falling short of the total required, despite sterling knocks from defender Dean West (56), apprentice goalkeeper Michael Hale (48) and youngster Joel Pilkington (36).

Anderson, who returns to more serious action with England next month, added: "It's nice to have a break after travelling up and down the country for four weeks.

"But we have another tough schedule coming up with two back-to-back Test matches to start with and more to come.

"The young England guys have done well though and everyone has performed well by chipping in with something. We have a good team spirit and that's good to see."