THEY'RE calling him the new James Anderson. But England's latest star has been calling his pal and former team-mate Jonathan Clare to say well done.

Clare became the second youngster to put Burnley Cricket Club on the map courtesy of his incredible nine-wicket haul against Church on Saturday, conceding just 15 runs in 9.2 overs.

And one of the first to congratulate the 16-year-old was England and Lancashire pace ace Anderson.

"I got a text message from Jimmy saying 'Well bowled!' So I replied saying well done to him for his efforts against Zimbabwe," said Clare, who celebrates his 17th birthday on Saturday.

"He said I should be getting more wickets next time, which is typical of him. He can be sarcastic.

"We played in the same teams at Burnley for quite a while and have basically grown up together in cricket.

"It's great to see what he's achieved and I hope I can follow in his footsteps in playing for Lancashire and hopefully England."

But he is refusing to get carried away with Saturday's success, even though he admitted a decent, let alone remarkable, haul was a long time in coming.

"I've picked up twos or threes in most games," said Clare, who has taken his total number of wickets claimed for the season so far to 23.

"I think the reason I haven't had more than that is down to luck. Sometimes you get a nick sometimes you don't.

"The most I'd taken in a match before Saturday was 4-23, so I was quite amazed this weekend.

"The conditions were ideal for swinging, playing in bright sunshine, and I just fancied my chances."

What made Clare's figures even more impressive was the regulation which forces sides to rest their young bowlers.

Because he is still only 16, Clare is only permitted to bowl a miximum of six overs in one sitting. Then he must rest until six overs have been bowled at his end of the ground.

After his initial spell, Church were on a perilous 16-5, with professional and opener Greg Mail dismissed for just one - caught and bowled by Clare.

They were allowed a brief respite and made their way to 50 before Clare was reintroduced. And the Turf Moor tornado ripped through the rest of the visitors' order.

"I got a big ovation when I was going off and their professional gave me a big clap," he said. "I had to watch out for him because he's got 180 and 150 recently.

"I'd bowled my first two overs and he hadn't had to face me. But, when he did, I bowled a short length and he popped it back to me."

He added: "It was a good day, and a good experience for me as well."

Clare, who is also handy with the bat and has hit 177 runs so far this campaign, is looking forward to making a name for himself with Lancashire Seconds in an effort to pave a way into the senior side.

He has also impressed for the county's Under 17s, Under 19s and Under 21s.

But, for the time being, Clare's biggest concern is passing his AS level exams.

The teenager is studying A-level psychology, sports studies and English Language and Literature at St Theodore's, which is, incidentally, Anderson's old school.

"My exams weren't too bad but I don't want to tempt fate," said Clare, who hopes to have a career in sport.

If his form from Saturday continues, it might not be too long before he's lining up alongside Anderson once more, but this time in county colours.