A BUDDING Worcestershire star of the future -- that's rookie paceman Kabir Ali.

And to prove it the talented 19-year-old has already turned in some impressive performances for the County this season.

Birmingham-born Kabir had his first taste of top flight cricket when he made his first-class debut for Worcestershire against Middlesex at New Road in the final County Championship match of last season.

This term, however, he went straight in at the deep end when he was selected to make his maiden one-day appearance in the home Benson and Hedges Cup group match against Glamorgan.

His response in a nine-wicket triumph was to take an eye-catching 4-29 -- a fully deserved haul which earned him the man-of-the-match Gold Award.

It enabled him to become the first Worcestershire player to receive the coveted award on his Benson debut since former New Road favourite Glenn Turner achieved a similar feat in the County's first game in the competition against Cambridge University at Fenner's in 1972.

"I was really chuffed by that," said Kabir, whose 17-year-old cousin Kadeer is also on Worcestershire's books.

"To get the award meant a lot to me. Everybody was happy including all my family. Everybody was coming round to my house and saying 'well done son'."

After his initial brief taste of first team action last season against Middlesex -- in his only innings he made 11 and collected a career-best 2-36 -- he was more determined than ever to step up his cricketing education this year.

And with such an early opportunity to take his place alongside the likes of international stars Graeme Hick and Glenn McGrath, his headline-making exploits against Glamorgan helped advertise his capabilities.

"There were a few injuries about here and there, so I thought I might get a chance if I bowled well at the start of the season. I wasn't bowling too badly, so I got in."

Kabir now hopes that his early inclusion in the side will stand him in good stead for the rest of what he believes will be successful campaign for Worcestershire.

"I'd like to play as many first team matches as I can. I feel comfortable in the side, but I'm only 19 after all and I've got a long way to go. If not this year I hope that next year I'll play a good few games."

Kabir firmly believes that being alongside top-class performers is the best way to develop. "You learn a lot from playing in the first team because everybody is helping you out. Steve Rhodes is always telling me where to bowl and Glenn McGrath is there now with Alamgir Sheriyar."

Kabir is also inspired by having world class Australian pace star McGrath in the same side.

"I didn't think I'd ever be doing that, but there were injuries so I just grabbed my chance and he helps by telling me where to bowl to certain players."

Like all up-and-coming youngsters Kabir has one burning ambition -- and that's perhaps one day play for England. "But to do that, of course, needs a few years hard work and hopefully a bit of luck."

When available Kabir plays alongside cousin Kadeer for Halesowen in the Birmingham and District Premier League.

Batsman Kadeer made his first-class debut for Worcestershire at the start of this month when he was selected for the match against Cambridge University at Fenner's.