WHEN a former England coach hails a 20-year-old as the next Steve Harmison then the pressure on the shoulders of the youngster in question increases ten-fold.

So when Sky Sports' commentator David Lloyd, a former bat for Lancashire and the national side, uses such superlatives to pay a glowing reference to Liam Plunkett, the Durham prodigy must have something about him.

The 23 wickets he has taken so far in County Championship Division Two have helped propel Durham to the top of the pile and the predictions of the Middlesbrough starlet hitting the England scene are richly deserved.

The Riverside wicket may have Harmison and not Plunkett steaming into the Australians at full pace today, but Lloyd claims it is only a matter of time before the younger of the two makes the step up - so long as he copes with the attention coming his way.

"Liam Plunkett will follow Harmison, that's for certain," said Lloyd.

"He's going to be a real good egg. It's whether he can handle being told he is going to be that good as well.

"To have Geoff Miller and David Graveney (England selectors) watching you is something that can be difficult to deal with. It can get in your mind and worry you, put you off your game. Plunkett has to know and welcome that.

"Plunkett has a lot of talent and people know that. Everyone in the game knows Durham have another Harmison type coming through. Batsmen know they are going to be in for a real ride when they face him.

"It's just a case of Plunkett focusing on his own game and not becoming too distracted by the compliments he is receiving off the pitch."

Lloyd's eulogy of Plunkett has even more credence considering the high regard he holds for the emphatic bowling style of Harmison.

With an average of 27.95 on the Test stage, Durham's world-class right-arm fast bowler is looking to add to his one-day international tally of wickets today in preparation for the Ashes.

Lloyd is no doubt about who England need to be on top of his game against the Aussies this summer.

"Harmison's brilliant. It's unfair to put pressure on him every week because Alan Shearer doesn't do it in football every week. It's unfair," he said.

"But Harmison takes it all in his stride. He's a rhythm bowler and sometimes he doesn't click but when he does he is devastating. To have him absolutely firing against Australia would be fantastic because if the Aussies have one weakness it's against big pace. He'll be wanting to give his best performance but he seems to be a right steady lad.

"He is undemonstrative. He reminds me so much of Curtley Ambrose in his style. He's very tall, very slim and he looks in a batsman's eyes and strikes fear into him."

When the two heavyweights of the NatWest Series meet today another Durham star should be given a further chance to shine on his own pitch in international colours.

Lloyd claims that there should be a regular place in the England team for all-rounder Paul Collingwood - but feels he is too good a batsman to be the solution to the number eight conundrum. "Paul is higher than that,'' he admitted. "He is the Jonty Rhodes type player for England and can give you much more in the field than Jonty - highlighted by his exceptional catch on Sunday from Matthew Hayden. He's also a better bowler. There is a place for him every game.

"There's still a missing link which we are fully aware off and the selectors are looking for a No 8. Paul Collingwood isn't the answer.

"Kabir Ali and Alex Wharf are just two to have been tried there. But the selectors are looking for someone who can turn their hand to batting and also be on hand to bowl maximum overs.

"The nearest thing to it at the moment is Ricky Clarke. That's the one area we are light on. We need someone to demand it. Simon Jones has nearly got it."

In Lloyd's mind, the result today will count for little in the battle for the Ashes but he does believe it will be a further indication England can win the World Cup in 2007.

"Whatever we do in one-day cricket doesn't matter on the Test stage," said Lloyd. "Confidence may be here, there and everywhere. But if you under-perform in one-dayers you lose. Tests are different.

"But I feel that, although we have a bit to go, I feel we will win the World Cup."

First thing's first. For now the World Cup in the West Indies can go on the back burner and overcoming those men from Down Under has to be high on the international agenda.

* Sky Sports are broadcasting the NatWest Series and Challenge exclusively live and interactive.