Tymal Mills’ rise through the ranks of the domestic game has been almost as rapid as one of his fastest left-arm deliveries.

The former Mildenhall College pupil only took up the sport seven years ago, having been a promising football and basketball player.

At the age of 21, Essex bowler Mills is still considered a distance away from making the England five-day team but his inclusion in the senior party Down Under – the former Mildenhall CC bowler was used to warm-up England’s batsmen prior to the First Test – is a step in the right direction.

His potential future skipper in the England team, Alastair Cook, described Mills as ‘the fastest bowler in England’, while his former skipper at Mildenhall, Karl Holmes will never forget the day he first met Mills.

“He was a raw talent when he started, we nurtured him, Essex picked him up and he’s been finely tuned,” remembers Holmes.

“He was a pleasure to work with; he always wanted to train and was always willing to listen to advice.”

He may not be at the level of James Anderson or Stuart Broad or even any of the trio that were hoping to be named as England’s third seamer for the First Test in Brisbane which started this morning, but that is not to say he has not made an impact.

Mills comes with a fearsome reputation, having injured both Graeme Swann and Joe Root in warm-up matches before last summer’s Ashes series in England.

Already in training Mills has left bruises on the pair likely to open for England in the upcoming ashes series, Cook and Michael Carberry.

Mills however responded by saying: “If I’ve hit some of the lads so far, then that’s happened; but I’ve not intended to hurt anybody and put them out of the Ashes as I’m an England fan myself.

“But they are also expecting to get this in a couple of weeks time against Australia in the shape of Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner and Mitchell Starc, if they play.”

Mills was sticking around with the England squad until just before the First Test, and would then be setting off to join up with the England development squad.

“It was a big shock; I was in the cinema with my Essex team mate Ben Foakes on the Thursday night. when I found out (about his inclusion in the EPP),” said Mills.

“I was flying on the Sunday so had a lot to sort out in a couple of days.

“It was a nice surprise though.”

“So far it’s been brilliant; all of the players and coaches have been really welcoming to me and (Nottinghamshire’s) Harry Gurney.

“We’ve been made to feel a part of the squad and it’s been a great atmosphere.

“It’s been good working with bowling coach David Saker, it’s always nice to practice with a new coach and hear his ideas.”

And as for the now-infamous clash with Swann, Mills said: “We are fine now. Luckily, he was fit to play for the rest of the summer.

“He might not have felt the same had he not though.”