HASEEB Hameed says the help given to him by outgoing opener Paul Horton has been crucial in his development as a cricketer with Lancashire.

The 18-year-old batsman from Bolton made his first-team debut for the county over the weekend in the LV= County Championship draw against Glamorgan at Emirates Old Trafford, scoring a composed 28.

Hameed replaced Horton, who looks to have played his last match for Lancs after not being offered a new contract by Ashley Giles, the county's cricket director and head coach.

“It's sad news about Horts,” admitted Hameed, who recently captained England Under-19s and has played for Bolton League sides Tonge, Farnworth Social Circle and Egerton, acting as sub professional for the Blackburn Road men earlier this summer.

“When I first started here, he helped me, and I am very grateful for that. But it does present me with an opportunity, and it is something I have been working towards. Hopefully I can do well.

“I have played a lot of second-team cricket now. I have felt I have done well at that level. When I went out there, it felt ok.

“I didn’t feel as if it was any different from anything I had faced before. At second-team level you can face some very good attacks, and also at England Under-19s level.

“I didn’t feel out of place. I felt comfortable at the crease, and Karl Brown talked me through it – little words of encouragement.”

Giles said he was impressed with Hameed’s contribution, and now looks set to give the teenager a run in the Championship team until the end of the season after making his decision over Horton, who has played 318 matches for the county since making his debut in 2003..

“It was tough for him coming into this type of game, especially under the circumstances, replacing a long-standing senior player in Paul Horton,” said Giles.

“But he played in a composed manner, and has bags full of ability and talent. I think we will see a lot more of him.”

Meanwhile, after confirming new contracts have been signed by trio Arron Lilley, Liam Livingstone and Jordan Clark, Giles has revealed that Boltonian Karl Brown is considering the offer of a new deal with the club.

Brown has scored six fifties and one century, in the last match against Glamorgan, in 12 Championship innings this season, and is also a key part of Lancashire's limited overs team.

He left the field on Monday having been struck on the hand while fielding at short-leg, but x-rays showed no break, meaning he will be fit for Saturday’s T20 Finals Day.