James Tomlinson will replace Wasim Akram, his cricketing hero, when Hampshire take on top of the table Gloucestershire at Bristol tomorrow.

Wasim will play against his former Lancashire teammates at Old Trafford in the National League on Sunday but is rested for Hampshire's latest championship match after beginning the season with his first first-class games in 18 months and three one-day matches in four days.

It means that Cardiff University student Tomlinson should play his fifth championship match for Hampshire after playing in the last four games of last season against Sussex, Yorkshire and in both first division contests against Surrey.

First team manager Paul Terry said: "James is very likely to play. Wasim is having a rest, which he is able to do because of the bowling resources we have."

Tomlinson took 11 first class wickets last season, including two on his debut against India, at an average of 57.90 but he reckons he is a better player after lessons from Wasim and bowling coach Bruce Reid, another member of the left-armers' club.

The second year education/psychology student, who has three exams left this summer, said: "I haven't been told that I'm definitely playing yet but I'm very excited indeed. It's a good moment for me just to be in the squad as I didn't think I'd be playing until after my exams were over.

"I couldn't play against Oxford UCCE at the weekend because of exams but I shared 12th man duties with James Hamblin when we played Glamorgan at Cardiff last month and Wasim and Bruce Reid taught me a lot in the nets there - they were excellent.

"I learnt more in an hour with Was than I have for a few years. He taught me a lot about how to hold the ball, bowling inswingers and slower balls, and Bruce gave me lots of good advice on my run up, my follow through, and keeping my front arm strong.

"I'm very lucky to have three left-armers who have played Test cricket at Hampshire in Wasim, Bruce and Alan Mullally - I can't help but improve."

Tomlinson, who played for British Universities against Zimbabwe last week, added: "I'm not going to be at all disappointed at not playing while I've got bowlers like Wasim, Giddins, Mascarenhas and Mullally in front of me, so to play this week is a bonus.

"I learnt a lot about the psychological side of the game last season, the importance of staying positive. I'm also a lot stronger. I can bowl longer spells and come back for second spells feeling fresher. I feel as fit as a fiddle."