BURNLEY cricket star Jimmy Anderson is set to dash back to England in between Ashes tests to see his second child born.

The fast bowler is set to lead England’s attack in Australia but he will be making a flying visit back to the UK after the second Test to be by his wife’s side at the birth.

Anderson, 28, is already the proud father of daughter Lola Rose, but he is determined to see the arrival of his second child as well.

Neil Anderson, Jimmy’s uncle, said: “He is hoping to dart back in between matches.

“I think the dates are likely to fit into the plan for him and the baby will be born while he is back in the UK.

“It is something he didn’t want to miss, one or two England players have done it recently and flown back here and then gone back again and I think it’s understandable.”

Anderson’s wife Daniella is set to give birth on December 8, while the second Test will finish on December 7 if it goes the full five days.

In that case Anderson will hope to fly home that night and, with time difference on his side, arrive back in time to see the birth.

But he will be hoping to inspire England to a quick victory to give himself a bit more leeway on the trip.

If all goes according to plan he will return in time for the third Test on December 12.

Neil said: “He is a big family man, we are all a close family really.

“James is away a lot with his cricket but we regularly get together for tea on a Friday night.

“It’ll be a long trip but I’m sure he’ll be fine, he’s a fit young lad.”

Anderson is set to play in the first Test starting in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time.

Jimmy Anderson’s career

  • James Anderson was born in Burnley on July 30, 1982, and attended St Theodore’s RC High School
  • He made his debut for Burnley’s first XI in 1998 away at East Lancashire, claiming figures of 1-13 in eight overs
  • He first started playing for the club at the age of nine in the under-13s and was a regular visitor from an early age as his dad Mick was captain of the Second XI
  • He made his Lancashire debut in 2002 and in 2003 became the youngest player in the county’s history to take a hat-trick
  • He has since played 52 Tests and 133 One Day Internationals for England
  • His best figures for England came against New Zealand in 2008 at Trent Bridge when he took 7-43