ENGLAND cricket could have found the answer to their Test future - in Atherton. Eighteen-year-old Jonathan Fearick was last night called up by England under 19s, which in the past has proved a stepping stone to first class cricket for players such as Michael Atherton, Alec Stewart and John Crawley.

The Atherton CC fast bowler jets out next month for a two month tour to New Zealand after successfully coming through a testing series of trials.

Jonathan was given the news at the sports training centre at Lilleshall and was travelling home today to join in an early Christmas celebration with his family at their home in Newbrook Road, Atherton.

He is the first player from the Atherton club to receive any kind of England call-up - Colin Hilton was once tipped for Test duty but just missed out - and more amazingly he is the only player on the tour not to have a county contract.

He is not unknown at Old Trafford having played second team cricket for Lancashire for most of last season but to date he has not been called on to the county staff.

Hopefully that could now change as with all the other players on the tour already tied to counties, Jonathan will be the sole object of attention for county scouts following the tour.

The Atherton club were delighted with the news. Chairman Derek Bannister said: "It's a great honour for Jonathan and also for this club and the Bolton Association. "He has always played his cricket here since joining the under 11s and he has improved year after year.

"Everyone here is thrilled to bits for him."

John Charlson, chairman of the Bolton Association, and also secretary of the Atherton club, added: "It shows just how well Jonathan has played in the trials, especially without having the backing of a county club.

"That should all change now and hopefully Lancashire will lead the way."

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