MIKE Watkinson admits it is unfair to compare Lancashire rising star Tom Smith with England captain Andrew Flintoff.

Chorley all-rounder Smith heads to Western Australia this winter with England's 14-man academy squad after an excellent debut season at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old teams up with experienced Test players Rob Key and Jon Lewis for the five-week period, held during the Ashes Test series, and follows in the footsteps of fellow Lancashire aces Flintoff, James Anderson and Saj Mahmood who came through the national academy.

A fine debut campaign saw seamer Smith play in 15 of Lancashire's 16 County Championship fixtures and take 35 wickets at 30.65 apiece, while he struck a high-score of 49 with the bat.

His batting performances can improve and Smith opened the innings for Lancashire's junior set-ups and with Chorley.

It is for his all-round ability, physique and maturity that Smith has been likened to Flintoff, who also played in the Northern Cricket League for St Annes.

But Lancashire cricket manager Watkinson does not want to pile any unneccesary pressure on his young star.

"It does nobody any favours by making comparisons to the best of your type," said Watkinson, a former professional at Church.

"So many players who have worn those tags were massively frustrated by being the next Ian Botham.

"Nobody has managed to wear that tag until Freddie has come along and now it's going to be who is the next Freddie?

"Everybody is different but Tom has come through the system in the same way.

"It's very important that we don't load too much on his hands early. He's only been a professional cricketer for one year and a big part of his quality is his hard work and dedication.

"He's perhaps not as explosive or as dynamic a cricketer as Freddie. He's a percentages man and bowls consistently in the right areas. He does not have Freddie's pace.

"One thing that will improve is his batting. We know he has always batted in the top order through junior cricket and now he's come to us, he is batting nine and 10. But that hopefully that will be resolved."

Smith was selected in Lancashire's opening Championship clash against Hampshire in April and never looked back, as he missed only one four-day county match in 2006.

Watkinson admits Smith's growing maturity managed to see him through a long, hard season.

He said: "Tom is mature for his age, which helps him play a full season.

"Had he been not quite as mature, fatigue would have probably played a part after five or six games.

"We would have had to leave him out for a few games before bringing him back in. But he was absolutely knackered at the end of the season."

There is a slim chance that Smith - tipped by Lancashire captain Mark Chilton as a future England player - could make an Ashes appearance.

The ECB academy squad, who will be based in Perth and run under the management of academy director Peter Moores, essentially act as a back-up to the England team in Australia.

Almost four years ago, Burnley-born Anderson earned a shock call-up into England's one-day side following an impressive academy stint in Adelaide.

For now, Watkinson is delighted by Smith's academy inclusion and believes the experience Down Under will serve him well.

"Tom will get away from the comforts of Lancashire," added Watkinson. "Over there, you have one or two people having their thoughts in different conditions.

"The experience is brilliant, although it's important he maintains his focus on doing what has worked for him so far."