THERE seems little doubt in the minds of those who have taught, coached and played alongside him – Haseeb Hameed has what it takes to go to the very top.

The rising star of Lancashire cricket may be on the verge of his first foray into the Test arena, but his former peers are backing him to take it in his stride and flourish, just as he has done throughout his fledgling career.

This week Hameed became, at just 19, the youngest post-war player to be presented with his Red Rose cap during the County Championship match against Middlesex. And although he could not mark the occasion with a big score – he was out for a duck in Lancashire's first innings – his first full season in first-class cricket has seen him hit four tons and seven half-centuries on his way to more than 1,000 runs at an average in the fifties.

International cricket is also on the Boltonian's agenda as, this week. He could be named in the England squad to tour Bangladesh. Limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan and – perhaps more significantly – opening batsman Alex Hales have made themselves unavailable due to concerns about tourists' safety. Replacing Morgan as ODI captain is Lancashire team-mate Jos Buttler, so his potential is sure to be on the selectors' agenda.

And should Hameed be asked to partner captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order his former school coach is predicting yet another successful transition.

"Haseeb came to us in Year Eight, when another county was trying to lure him away from Lancashire," said Bolton School's head of cricket, Andy Compton. "It was very clear even then we had a very talented cricketer on our hands. He always showed how able he was, both in the academic and sporting arenas.

"With Haseeb there was also Nat Phillips and Sam Hart – who are both with Liverpool FC now – and the Parkinson brothers (Callum and Matt) so we had a very good group, it is rare to have so many lads of that ability and pedigree.

"But the thing that stood out for Haseeb was his wonderful batting technique. Many others have said how good a player he is, we have had many coaches from the LCB in and all of them have commented on what a special talent he is.

"Haseem and his dad Ismail have been very focused on him taking his talents to the ultimate level. Ever since he came to us he has wanted to play for Lancashire and England. He has played for England at just about every age group, from the under-15s to u19s, often when he was in the year below but never being overawed.

"While the Parkinsons were more extroverted Haseeb was always more thoughtful, he was one of the quieter lads, always thinking. He had a real maturity and his knowledge of the game, even then, was so good. It meant we had a nice balance and a competitive edge, they fed off each other and it brought Bolton School success."

The major success came in 2012, when Bolton School became the first north of England team to win the English Schools' Cricket Association u15 T20 national tournament, beating Whitgift from Croydon by 10 wickets.

"We have been to the National finals three times and thanks to players like Haseeb it put us on the map as far as schools' cricket is concerned," added Compton. "We won the ESCA u15s competition and Haseeb scored 80 not out in the final. That year group won many local and regional competitions but that national title was a very special achievement.

"Having Haseeb in the team also benefited many other lads who perhaps would never have made a national final. He has everything in his locker."

That golden period for Bolton School was, in no small measure, thanks to Hameed. Not that he would be getting ahead of himself – Compton says such self-promotion was never in the youngster's nature.

And his former teacher is not alone in admiring Hameed's talents. As an Ashes winner the current director of cricket at Emirates Old Trafford, Ashley Giles, knows a thing or two about the mentality needed to succeed on the cricket field.

"Ashley was down here looking at him one time and he was saying how impressive Haseeb's anticipation was," recalled Andy Compton. "He could tell Haseeb had a good understanding of what was going on and he was able to produce the performance that was needed.

"People said when he went to play at Farnworth Social Circle how organised and talented he was when he was batting. Haseeb has honed his technique too, he has been really dedicated and committed himself to his game.

"We did try to accommodate his approach and get him to put the same level of dedication to his studies, not to great effect, though! He is a thoroughly personable and unassuming lad, had great humility and a wonderful temperament, he is not easily perturbed.

"The thing about Haseeb is that, every time he has been asked to perform at a higher level he has done so and he's never looked out of place. People used to think he could be the one to replace Alastair Cook. Other events may have changed that and sped up the process but he has got everything he needs to succeed."