BOLTON'S Callum Parkinson may have fallen short of matching Matt's debut five-wicket haul when he made his maiden first-class appearance for Derbyshire recently, but he still managed to get one over on his twin brother.

Callum, unlike Matt, was not offered professional terms at Emirates Old Trafford having come through the Red Rose Academy.

He was immediately snapped up by Derbyshire's Academy, in 2014, before making his first-team debut in the County Championship against Leicestershire.

The 19-year-old left-arm spinner, formerly of Heaton, took four wickets in the first innings, three in the second and also hit 48 batting at number 11 – a position in the order he is almost certain to not occupy for long.

Earlier this season, leg-spinner Matt took a debut five-wicket haul for Lancashire against Warwickshire.

And Callum said: "We've had a friendly rivalry growing up, with who's further along with their career at certain points, so obviously it was nice (getting the wickets).

"I didn't quite get the five that he did, but I beat his match total and let him know about that!"

Despite some impressive performances in Derbyshire's second team, Callum admitted that he wasn't expecting his first-team call-up.

"I was really surprised at getting a call-up to the squad to start with," he said.

"I didn’t think I would be playing. I thought I’d be 12th man and it would be a good experience for me. I only found out probably 50 minutes before play started on day one.

“Going into the match, I didn’t think I would end up bowling 70 overs, but the way the pitch played it suited pace off the ball, so it’s really pleasing that Billy Godleman (captain) had as much faith in me as he did and allowed me to settle into long spells.

“I’ve had a bit of experience captaining the Academy, which helped me in terms of my knowledge of the game and setting fields, but Billy was really helpful as well to send me in the right direction and set a basic field that I could tinker with."

Not surprisingly, the Derbyshire hierarchy were impressed with Callum's contribution, and they now look set to reward him with a maiden pro contract.

Godleman said: “For someone so young, he bowled with great control and discipline in the first innings and really tied the Leicestershire batters down.

“I was impressed with Callum as he was always very clear of what he wanted to do in each phase of the game."

Callum will be spending his winter playing grade cricket at Dandenong in Melbourne, a move facilitated by ex-Bolton League overseas all-rounder Brendan McArdle.

It is a move supported by Derbyshire head coach John Sadler, who added: "Callum’s a very fine cricketer, he’s got the attitude, he’s a good lad and fits in really well with the other players.

“He’s matured beyond his years, he loves the game as well, which I think is a must. He ticks every box, and we’ve got a very good cricketer on our hands.”