Anderson remains young enough that passing final judgement on the Lancashire bowler would be futile and foolish.

But there is no doubt that he has plenty to do to prove, and the selectors might be wise this summer to take the pressure off a player whose progress has been disappointing.

Making his international breakthrough as a precocious 20-year-old at the 2003 World Cup, Anderson boasted not only genuine pace but also the ability to move the ball both ways.

Michael Vaughan considered him a fine asset for his England revolution not only with the ball in his hand but off the field too - a photogenic and exciting young star is patently desirable to a sport coveting a new and populist image.

The England captain's affection for the youngster remains undimmed but the priority should be setting opponents' - rather than teenage fan clubs' - pulses racing.

A frustrated observer on the tour of West Indies, Anderson made little impact last summer but was criminally underused by Lancashire due to the restrictions placed on the use of centrally-contracted players.

He travelled to South Africa a forlorn figure but was surprisingly given his chance ahead of Simon Jones at Wanderers.

It is fair to say that he did not take it, desperately struggling for line, length, pace and rhythm after a year of almost uninterrupted inactivity.

After pushing the boundaries of inaccuracy against the Proteas it would be foolish indeed to expose a still vulnerable youngster to the merciless Australian batting line-up without first being convinced of his return to form.

A busy summer wearing the red rose should be Anderson's priority and it may prove that a front-line role in the 2009 Ashes is a more fitting target.