GEORGE Hill knows all about facing Jimmy Anderson having done it countless times in the back garden at home. But today will prove the real deal.

The Yorkshire youngster will open the batting alongside Adam Lyth against a 38-year-old who last week recorded his 1,000th career first-class wicket and claimed best figures of 7-19 in the process as Lancashire drew with Kent.

Approximately 18 years Anderson’s junior, Hill opened the batting in last week’s County Championship win at Northampton with 71 in the first innings.

However, this will clearly be a step up in class.

Hill would have been called into action yesterday, but for rain washing out the second day of the Roses clash at Emerald Headingley, in which Lancashire have reached 273-2 in their first innings.

“I’m looking forward to facing him,” said the 20-year-old as the rain fell and forced play to be abandoned shortly before 2pm.

“It’s a bit weird really because me and my brother (Freddie) used to try and mock some bowlers’ actions in the back garden, and his was one of them.

“But it’s the old cliche of, ‘Face the ball, not the bowler’.

“It’s easier said than done, but it will be a good challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”

Hill was hugely impressive at Northampton last week.

Elevated to face the new ball in the absence of injured duo Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Will Fraine, the former England Under-19 played an innings which made him look every bit a regular opener.

It is amazing to think that the only time he can ever remember opening the batting was in a school T20 game.

“It was nice to finally score some runs, but the fact it contributed to a win meant a lot more,” reflected the former Sedbergh pupil.

“All out for 150, we could have easily lost that game. But Bessy bowled really well in the first innings and Brooky batted well in the second.

“The fact I was able to bat time was the most pleasing thing. In the past, that’s not something I’ve done a lot of.

“I’ve played a lot of white ball in the last couple of years with the Under-19s and stuff and haven’t done a lot of red ball stuff. So be able to go back to basics, almost batting in my bubble, was really enjoyable.”

Hill, who scored a second-team double century at Bristol earlier in the season, is set for an exciting few weeks.

After the Roses game, Yorkshire conclude their Vitality Blast group phase on Saturday and Sunday with trips to Lancashire and Derbyshire.

They need only one more point to assure qualification for the quarter-finals.

After that, Hill will be one of the Yorkshire youngsters likely to be given an extended run in the Royal London one-day Cup, starting next week.

That is a competition which clashes with the Hundred, because of which the county are missing 10 senior players.

“It is going to be a busy few weeks,” said all-rounder Hill, who represented England at the Under-19s World Cup in South Africa in early 2020.

“But it’s exciting to potentially get a chance in the 50-overs.

“I played a bit of 50-over cricket just before the pandemic started.

“It’s probably the format I was most comfortable with. I’m looking forward to it.”

The first task is getting Yorkshire back into this Roses game when the weather allows, and runs will be key to that.

“As you saw with the new ball on Sunday morning, it did a bit. And that’s the main threat,” said Hill, who points to Sedbergh School director of cricket Martin Speight as a significant influence on his career.

“But the pitch is pretty flat and quite slow. Once you get in, there’s value for your shots.”

Hill was on a sports scholarship at Sedbergh before making his way into the professional game with Yorkshire, something Harry Brook also did.

Hill added: “Martin at school has been huge for me. Since 11 or 12, he’s been by batting coach. I keep in touch with him a bit, I ring him, and when I’m back at home it’s not far to go and see him.”