AN Urmston cricketer has proved himself a star of the future after helping England U17s to victory in Loughborough.

Matthew Parkinson was given the England call up earlier this month after impressing the selectors.

His success for the England team was marked with a 2-1 victory in a three one day match series over Pakistan, followed by a match turning performance last weekend, in a three day match against them.

Chasing 348 in the second innings, Pakistan were at one point cruising on 248 for two before the Bolton youngster stepped up to the plate and skittled them out for 319; returning figures of six for 67.

The teenager was named as man of the series by the Pakistan team after his display and after returning figures of 10 for 114 in the three one day internationals.

Add that to his impressive debut performance of six for 22 against South Africa in a warm up game and it is clear Matthew is going places.

Matthew who currently plays for Lancashire CC under 17s and Lancashire CC Seconds and Staffordshire, first joined Urmston as a 15 year old in 2012 and has been a regular in the first eleven ever since.

According to Urmston's Rob Arnold the youngster has improved his skills to a high level since he has been part of the set up.

He explained: "Matthew has grown as a player at the club and been given lots of opportunities to develop his game as our front line spinner.

"He is a real hard worker and has been involved in Lancashire age group cricket since the age of 11.

"Last season he was the Lancashire Young Player of the Year as well as the Cheshire County League Player of the Year. We are all very proud of his success at Urmston CC and wish him every success for the future."

Matthew, whose identical twin brother Callum, also plays cricket, are described by dad David as 'two peas in a pod' to the point where they both gained the same results in the same subjects at their recent exams at Bolton's Canon Slade School.

David added: "What's been really good for Matthew's development has been bowling on the Urmston wicket which is really great, plus the fact that the team plays in the Cheshire League, where they come up against the like of bigger teams including Chester and Nantwich."

"Matthew's aim now is to win his way into the more intensive England training programme to help develop his skills still further."