ENGLAND fast bowler Sajid Mahmood has tipped Lancashire’s former Radcliffe ace Steven Cheetham to be a star of the future.

Mahmood works closely with 21-year-old Cheetham at Old Trafford, and he is predicting big things from the youngster this season.

“I’m impressed – he’s got a bit of pace, he has plenty of control, moves the ball about and takes wickets,” said Mahmood. “I think he’s one to watch out for this year.

“He is bowling pretty well. He went on tour to Dubai with the first team this winter and people tell me he bowled really well over there.

“He played a couple of games for us last year and I was impressed with him. It’s a bit different from looking good in the nets, and he did it in a match when it counts.”

Cheetham is looking forward to a big year with Lancashire, but he admits he owes a big debt of gratitude to Radcliffe for providing the foundations for his career.

The fast bowler came through the junior ranks, and progressed through to the first team at the Racecourse before moving to Central Lancashire League rivals Heywood.

And Cheetham acknowledges the key role Radcliffe played. He said: “I loved it at Radcliffe. I’m still in contact with a lot of the lads down there.

“I still, to this day, say that the season I had with the second team when I was 14 was one of the best seasons I have ever had.

“It was my first season in the seconds and I took 61 wickets that summer. It gave me belief, and that’s key to me because I need confidence and to get those wickets spurred me forward.

“I owe a lot to people down at Radcliffe. People like Ian Hayes did a lot of my coaching when I first started playing and he was fantastic with me.”

The 6ft 4ins ace, who made his debut against Durham last summer, is lucky to be able to work with international bowlers like Mahmood, Jimmy Anderson and Andrew Flintoff at the Red Rose county, and he is relishing the challenge of breaking into the first team.

“Sajid is one of the best to learn from,” said Cheetham, who will be turning out for Bowden in the Cheshire County League this summer.

“And then there are the likes of Anderson and Flintoff when they are around.

“The England lads are good to me, but at the same time it’s up to me to ask the questions. There is no point sitting back – you might as well use them and tap into their knowledge.

“They never get annoyed with you asking these questions because they had to ask once. It’s all about learning and I am young.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a big year for me. It’s nice to be part of the first-team playing staff and I can’t wait to get going.

“I played a few games for the first team last year and you do get the taste for it all. I used to come down watching Lancashire, so it’s an honour to now be playing for them.

“If I can perform for the second team, my opportunity should come along. I’m hoping that it works on merit, then it’s a case of taking my opportunity.”