LANCASHIRE starlet Matt Parkinson admits it is tough balancing studying with preparation for his first fully professional cricket season.

The 18-year-old Canon Slade sixth former spent 10 days in December with the England Development Programme in Dubai and returned to studies with mock exams last week.

“It’s a difficult juggling act,” said the leg-spinner. “Previously I could concentrate much more on the cricket, but with only a few months of my A-Levels left, I really need to focus on school.”

Parkinson is not the only Lancashire player in full-time education, with fellow Boltonian Haseeb Hameed and Rochdale’s Saqib Mahmood also switching between whites and whiteboards.

“At least with three of us studying, Lancashire are well aware of our other commitments,” said Parkinson who studies business, English and history.

The trio all travelled to Dubai where Parkinson said the conditions were very testing.

“The pitches are conditioned to play like subcontinent pitches and were a real challenge," he said.

"As a spinner I had to bowl a lot fuller and quicker. It was a great experience though and it was great to train outdoors for the first time in months.”

Parkinson hopes to debut for the England Under 19s on their Australian tour in March and is already proven against international opposition in the age group.

Last summer he took six wickets against South Africa Under-19s when playing for the England Under-17s.

In the meantime, Parkinson is in winter training with Lancashire, for whom he hopes to make an impact this season.

“It’s skills and fitness training three times a week at the minute, and come the summer, I’ll be ready to take my chance.

"Simon Kerrigan and Stephen Parry will be great to learn from and if either is on international duty, I’ll be ready to step up.”