Durham seamer Liam Plunkett is aiming to become the first emerging cricketer to benefit from the National Academy's latest technology and develop into an established member of the England squad.

The 20-year-old was the surprise name included in England's one-day squad for this winter's tour to Pakistan, where they will play five internationals in 11 days immediately following the three-match Test series.

Plunkett's promotion follows a season when he has claimed 51 championship wickets.

But while his performances on the pitch got him noticed, he also owes a debt of thanks to the state-of-the-art technology now being used by England at the Academy Centre based at Loughborough University.

It was at Loughborough where a weakness was noticed in Plunkett's action and the possibility of injury stalling his progress was prevented.

The technology, devised by England bowling coach Troy Cooley in conjunction with biomechanics experts from the University's Sports Science Department, uses sensors to measure the stresses and strains on a fast bowler in an effort to cut the large number of injuries sustained.

''I came the first year this technology was tried and I found there was a risk of damage to my back. So my action was re-modelled,'' explained Plunkett.

''I was told I would have serious problems with my back if I carried on bowling like that and I've changed my action a few times since. I think I've found something now that works for me.

''I had a few problems last year and tried to go back to my old action and it just felt horrible. The ball just wasn't coming out right. I stuck with the one I've got now and it gradually got better.''

Plunkett is just one of nearly 70 bowlers, ranging from emerging youngsters right up to the Test team, who Cooley has examined in this way.

He aims to build up a database, which he believes can minimise the number of injuries suffered by seamers, who traditionally spend the longest on the injury list each summer.

Cooley admits England's fast bowling programme, which he heads, had no impact on this summer's historic Ashes success.

Only Simon Jones was injured throughout the Test series, but Cooley believes the technology could be invaluable in the future.

''We're just capturing information at the moment,'' explained Cooley. ''We don't know all the answers, but what we're trying to do is find all the answers.

''We want to keep the individual bowling the way he's been brought up to bowl, but you don't want to keep them bowling if they're going to get injured every two days.

''There is a balance, but the individuality is something I try hard to keep within the bowler. If you're going to make a change, you do that based on the facts and that's what this is all about.

''Technically we're starting to question things that have been coached before and that's a big thing. We're starting to question things that are in the coaching manual and I think that's exciting.

''We sat Liam down two years ago and told him with the information we had on him, he was in that 70 per cent group of people who are likely to get injured and to tell him that was hard.

''But he took that on board, worked hard and went through a few agonising months, but he stuck with it and I think he's started to get the rewards.''

For all his success, Plunkett has accepted he may be going on the trip just for the experience of being around the senior squad.

His main role could be as drinks waiter, but he is more than happy just to be involved.

''I had a decent summer and I thought I might have a chance of getting on to the Academy so when I got the phone call from David Graveney, it was out of the blue,'' he added.

''If I go out there and don't play, I won't be disheartened because it's good just being part of the squad.

"It will be great to see what it's like and soak up the atmosphere - I can't wait for it.

''I'm really happy just being out there at all. I don't care if all I am is a drinks boy. I'm not fussed about that, I just want to be a part of the squad.''