HOUSTON -- By the time D.J. Reader was 10 years old, he already had the body type he has today. And, he realized that if he kept playing football, his place would be on the defensive line.It was then that Reader discovered a rookie nose tackle playing for the New England Patriots: Vince Wilfork .Reader was drafted by the Houston Texans 12 years later and was thrilled at the opportunity to learn from the man who he began watching all those years ago.He was the best nose tackle in the league, Reader said. I was kind of chunky when I was a kid, so I knew I was going to be playing the D-line somewhere, so I just watched the best. Watched him all the time.Wilfork, now 35 and in his 13th NFL season, shook his head and laughed when told that Reader had been a fan of his since he was a child. The veteran said Reader never acted star-struck around him despite looking up to him for years before the pair met.No, he hasnt. He kept that to himself, Wilfork said. (Man) that makes me sound old ... (but) its a mutual respect. Its good to feel like that. Its even better to give knowledge to the younger players, especially somebody thats in my position that I can actually really mentor because Ive played it. Ive done it.This season, Reader has blossomed under the tutelage of Wilfork and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. His natural talent was clear when the Texans selected him in the fifth round of this years draft after a career at Clemson where he played in 46 games and had 145 career tackles. But it was also evident that the 6-foot-3, 335-pound Reader had a lot to learn when he first arrived in Houston.These young guys when they come in, they dont understand how the game is played or how to play the game, Crennel said. I think over this season, hes learned his abilities and how he can use his abilities in the game. I think hes playing better as a result of it. Hes understanding the fits, what he can get done, when to come off the block and those kind of things. Hes better as a result of it.After studying Wilfork for so long from afar, Reader wanted to make sure to take advantage of the chance to work with him.The two became close quickly and spend hours together, not only at the stadium, but also in their free time.Its the best. Its like having an older brother who just knows everything, Reader said. He knows whats coming. When Im out there on the field with him its just so much fun because he loves the game and is passionate about it. I like being with him. Hes a great mentor, a family man so a lot of good examples come out of him.Reader had been learning from Wilfork all season and had started seeing steady playing time when Wilfork was injured and forced to sit out in a game against the Jaguars on Nov. 13. It was then that Reader started in Wilforks place. But instead of being nervous, Reader was determined to show his mentor that all his teaching had paid off.I was trying to do my best to step in and make him proud and do my job, Reader said.And when Reader got his first career sack by taking down Blake Bortles for an 8-yard loss in the third quarter, he couldnt have been happier about what happened next.Vince was there, first one to congratulate me when I got my first sack, Reader said beaming.While the Texans are impressed with how far Reader has come since they drafted him, everyone is eager to see how much better he can get if he keeps working as hard as he has so far.I want him to understand how good he can be because he can be a great football player and I think he will because he has the right mindset and he understands things and how things work, Wilfork said. Hes a great professional, a great teammate. 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Sophie Ecclestone, the uncapped Lancashire left-arm spinner, has been named in England Womens 15-member squad for the three-match T20 series at home against Pakistan. Her Lancashire team-mate, Kate Cross, however, was left out. Kent left-arm seamer Natasha Farrant, who was not picked for World T20 as well as the ODI series against Pakistan, replaced the injured Anya Shrubsole.Ecclestone and Farrant are the two changes to the squad that swept Pakistan 3-0 in the ODI series. Ecclestone, only 17, is the second left-arm spinner in the squad behind Alexandra Hartley, who made her international debut against Pakistan in the third ODI in Taunton. She is yet to play a T20 international.The T20 series brings a new set of challenges and further opportunities for the players, and Im really pleased to call-up Sophie Ecclestone for the first time, and to welcome Tash Farrant back into the dressing room, Mark Robinson, the head coach, said.Sophie brings youth, vitality and another left-arm spin option alongside Alex Hartley into the squad. We have two world-class offspinners in Danielle Hazell and Laura Marsh, but we also need to be aware of the talent that we have underneath, and making sure that we arre developing the likes of Alex and Sophie, by having them in the group and giving them international match-day experience.ddddddddddddRobinson said that it was a real shame that seamer Beth Langston missed on of selection again, because of injury. She worked tremendously hard during the winter and had a great tour to Sri Lanka with the England Womens Academy, but unfortunately hasnt been able to get involved so far this summer because of her ankle, he said.Robinson also said that Cross was still in the sides plans, despite being overlooked for the Pakistan T20 series. Kate Cross has been left out of this squad to face Pakistan, but we do see her as a Twenty20 bowler moving forwards, he said. There is no reason why she cant be an outstanding bowler across all formats of the game, and we feel that theres a window now where we can do some focused technical work with her away from match situations to help get her ready to perform at her best in the Kia Super League next month.The T20 series begins with the first match at the Brightside Ground in Bristol on Sunday. ' ' '