BOLTON batsman Haseeb Hameed believes he is ready for a first-team chance at Lancashire and is relishing his forthcoming captaincy assignment with England Under-19s.

The 18-year-old former Farnworth Social Circle ace will skipper his country in next week’s four-day Test against their Australian counterparts at Durham, starting on Tuesday.

He has impressed for the U19s during the last two years as well as for Lancashire seconds, and he is in his first year as a professional at Emirates Old Trafford.

But he is yet to get the first-team call from Ashley Giles.

"Obviously, I've not been given the opportunity in the first team yet, but I feel as if I'm ready,” said opener Hameed, who recently completed his A-Levels at Bolton School.

“Whenever Ash decides to put me in the side, I'm sure I'll learn a lot. Exposure to that environment would be great for my development, and I feel as if I'm ready for it.”

Hameed will lead an U19s side that could include Red Rose team-mates Saqib Mahmood and fellow Boltonian Matt Parkinson. The two teams drew a Test in Perth earlier this year.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "It's a massive honour, and I'm really proud to get the opportunity. Stepping out in Durham will be an awesome experience.

"At this stage of my career, this is probably about as big as it gets.”

Hameed is confident his past captaincy experience will also stand him in good stead.

"I've done a lot at district level, and I captained the England U17s a couple of years ago when we were out in Sri Lanka,” he added. “I feel I've got enough experience to count on.

“Obviously I'm still learning, and will learn a lot from this series as well. I feel I've got enough backing from the players and coaches here and enough tactical nous to carry me through.

"I've had the opportunity to play at this level for a few years now, and I've been exposed to different environments, which has been good for learning.

"I've picked up different things from different captains, but I keep saying that it's important for me to be authentic in the way that I skipper the side.

“I don't want to imitate someone else or be someone that I'm not. I'll just captain the way I think is right.”