BOLTON cricketer Haseeb Hameed will leave Lancashire at the end of the season after the club decided against offering the 22-year-old batsman a new contract.

Dubbed 'Baby Boycott' when he burst onto the scene, Hameed's promising start to his international career as a teenager in 2016 led to optimism England's search for a permanent replacement for Andrew Strauss was over.

However, the former Tonge and Farnworth Social Circle star's batting deteriorated to the point where he averaged less than 10 in 17 innings in the 2018 County Championship, and though there was been some improvement this season, the Red Rose have decided to release him.

A Lancashire statement said: "Lancashire Cricket Club can confirm that the 2019 season will be Haseeb Hameed's final year, after the club decided not to renew the batsman's contract, which concludes at the end of the current campaign.

"The club met with Haseeb on Friday and explained its decision, and the 22 year-old is now free to discuss opportunities with other counties.

"The club would like to thank Haseeb for all of his commitment and efforts since he made his first-class debut in the 2015 season, having come through the academy."