BASINGSTOKE cricket star Shaun Udal is enjoying life in the limelight after playing a major part in an historic England victory.

The Hampshire off-spinner lives in the Worting area of town and became England's hero in the Indian city of Mumbai last Wednesday. In searing heat, he took four wickets for just 14 runs in India's second innings.

His outstanding effort helped his country win the match and level the three-Test series at 1-1. It was the first time England had beaten India on their home turf in 21 years.

This success came just three months after the 37-year-old father-of-three became England's oldest Test debutant for 17 years.

He returned from the sub-continent last Thursday and is enjoying his new-found fame.

"I spent the weekend in London with my family and I was getting recognised on the street for the first time in my life," he said. "People were coming up to me and saying 'well done'. It was great.

"There were 11 heroes in Mumbai but it has been good to get some personal recognition. It is lovely to get so much coverage later in my cricket life.

"The last day of the final Test was a dream come true. If that was my last-ever Test match, it was a great way to go out."

Back home in Basingstoke, Shaun's wife Emma and children Katherine, 13, Rebecca, 10, and 20-month-old Jack, were glued to their television screen watching the cricket last Wednesday - at least until the girls had to go to school.

Emma said of the final day: "When he got his first wicket, me and the girls went ballistic - there was a lot of girly screaming.

"We saw him get two more wickets before we had to leave to take the girls to school and I was listening on the radio when he got the last one."

Shaun is making the most of media opportunities coming his way. He is scheduled to film an episode of A Question of Sport next week and was up bright and early on Tuesday to be a pundit for Sky Sports' coverage of England's first One Day International match with India.

Once these distractions are out of the way, Shaun will turn his attention to Hampshire County Cricket Club and the forthcoming season. He plans to join his county team-mates in pre-season training next week.

"It is important we get a good start because people are looking for us to fail," he said. "We have to make sure we are not a one-season wonder, having won a trophy last year."

In terms of England, Shaun is under no illusions and admits that Ashley Giles is the first-choice spin bowler. However, he is struggling with a hip injury and should he not recover for the start of the summer series against Sri Lanka in May, Shaun hopes to step into the void.

"If Ashley does not make it back, I would be disappointed not to be picked for the Test team," he said. "Monty Panesar has made a decent start to his Test career but he is not a number eight batsman, something else I have to offer."