CRICKET stars Ed Smith and James Anderson took time out from their trials and tribulations with the South Africans to field a few bouncers in Birchwood.

Smith and Anderson, along with Test colleague Matthew Hoggard dropped into Vodafone's expanding centre at Birchwood Park to take a turn in its giant call centre.

"There were a few people who were shocked to find out who they were talking to," said Smith, who chatted with customers about England's test match chances.

And Birchwood staff pitched in too - dressing up in red and white to mark the occasion.

It's not the first time the mobile phone giant, one of the principal sponsors of the England cricket side, has stumped up support for sport.

Last week Guardian Business reported how the company had opened a new wing, named after Wire rugby legend Brian Bevan.