ASHLEY Giles says Bolton's Lancashire batting star Haseeb Hameed is displaying a maturity beyond his 19 years after making a steady start to the season at the top of the order.

Hameed scored his first competitive half-century of the summer in the Red Rose’s Specsavers County Championship home win over Hampshire earlier this week, a first-innings 62 from 225 balls.

He also scored 59 in a friendly against Cambridge University, but his next best Division One score was 29 against Somerset at Taunton.

There is no doubt the ex-Farnworth Social Circle man will have hoped for more runs, but Giles is certainly not disappointed with his contribution to two wins from three Championship matches.

“He is doing his job,” said the county’s cricket director and head coach, who has compared the former Bolton School pupil to Jonathan Trott.

“His game will develop in a lot of different ways as he grows and matures. Let's not forget he has only played seven games, and he is still a kid. But what a kid he looks.

“He is extremely mature, cheeky – especially to the coach!

“But the way he goes about his batting is beyond his years, and although I don't think he is batting at his best at the moment, it is a positive sign that he works his way through that without going into some sort of head fuzz.

“He has the attributes to go a lot further. He just needs time.

“I have no doubt at all it will come, which is why we have signed him on a four-year contract. He is a future Lancashire and England cricketer.

“I haven't seen many guys who just love batting so much that they manage percentages and risk when they are out there. They take the risk out of the game.

“Jonathan Trott was like that. He knows he can play all the shots in the book, but if there is a percentage chance of getting out, what's the point in playing it because he wants to bat all day. It is a pretty good attribute to have.”

Hameed shared a second-wicket partnership of 173 with centurion Luke Procter as Lancashire completed an innings and 94-run win over Hampshire to briefly go top of the table.

As it stands, ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Durham at Emirates Riverside, they are one point behind Yorkshire with a game in hand.

“We are delighted with the way we have played our cricket,” added Giles.