Woakes a rising star - Donald

Chris Woakes catches the eye while on duty for MCC against Durham last week

Warwickshire bowling coach Allan Donald is convinced that young seamer Chris Woakes will one day play for England.

Woakes enjoyed a successful first season with the senior side, helping them gain promotion from Division Two of the LV= County Championship, and his potential was recognised by the national selectors when they named him in the provisional 30-man England squad for the World Twenty20.

Donald, the former South Africa pace bowler and ex-England fast bowling coach, knows Woakes will find it tougher in Division One, starting with the opening game against Somerset at Taunton which begins tomorrow.

But he has faith that the 20-year-old can handle the pressure and extra attention this season.

"Chris is one of the cricketers that I label as a very natural cricketer,” said Donald. “He is very uncomplicated and natural and he just gets on with it and nothing seems to faze him.

"But this is his first season in the big league and this will be an even bigger test for him.

"There is always that 'second season syndrome' and now all of a sudden it's not Division Two, it's Division One. There are some quality teams with some quality cricketers out there.

"I don't see too many problems for him and I think my job is just to guide him along the right lines.

"All the chats I have with him suggest he is one of those guys who isn't fazed by anything but it will get more difficult for him as the pressure mounts. I'm going to make sure that we wrap him up and look after him very well."

Bowling coach Allan Donald intends to "look after" 20-year-old seamer Woakes during his first full season at first-class level

Donald is keen to see how Woakes, who impressed on duty for MCC against Durham at Lord’s last week, copes with the extra attention afforded him following his recognition by England.

"I think the mental side will be tested the more he gets put under pressure,” added Donald.

“Our first game is against a serious team with quality players like Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick. No doubt they will take the test to him but my job is to look after him mentally and make sure he doesn't stray off the right road.

"As a young cricketer your name gets thrown about in the press and that will happen even more now he is in the 30-man England squad.

"It will be interesting to see how he handles it now his name is out there and England colours are beckoning.

"There is no question that he will play for England at some stage. When that is, I don't know.

"If it's early that would be a big step for him but right now he is focusing on doing what he does best for us and that's playing."