HASEEB Hameed’s career rebuild has taken another major step with the news he has been named Nottinghamshire’s vice-captain.

The appointment will also see the Bolton-born opener lead the Outlaws in the 2021 Royal London Cup with skipper Steven Mullaney missing the 50-over competition after being drafted by Trent Rockets for the inaugural Hundred competition.

Hameed, who has three England Test caps to his name, arrived at Trent Bridge from Lancashire last season and averaged 39 with the bat in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy.

Having become the fifth-youngest batsman to chalk up 1,000 runs in a season in 2016, he was named Lancashire’s player of the year that summer before averaging 43.8 in his three Test appearances.

The 24-year-old former Bolton School pupil’s form however nosedived to the point where he spent the majority of 2019 playing for the Red Rose’s second XI before seeking pastures new.

Linking up with his former coach in Peter Moores at Notts seems to have done the trick however with the one-time Farnworth Social Circle player relishing being handed a leadership role.

“It’s an honour to be handed the responsibility of being vice-captain and I’m also really looking forward to the challenge of leading a talented young team into the Royal London Cup,” said Hameed.

“I love playing under Mull (Mullaney) and – whether it be by scoring runs with the bat, keeping the lads going during tough periods in the field or being involved tactically – I’ll be doing everything I can to contribute to the team in red-ball cricket.

“As captain in the 50-over game, we have a proud record in white-ball competitions as a club and that’s something we’ll be determined to continue.

“We have all the quality and depth in our squad to be successful across three competitions this year and that’s what we’re working hard to achieve.”

Moores has been impressed with what he has seen of Hameed, who made two half-centuries on three Test appearances against India in 2016, since his Trent Bridge switch and is confident he’s ready to step up.

“Hass became a popular member of the group very quickly,” said the Outlaws’ former Lancashire and England head coach.

“He has an infectious enthusiasm for the game, has raised the bar with his fitness and the intensity of his practice and he’s thrown himself into life as a Notts player.

“We informed the lads the other day about the decision to make him vice-captain, and the positive, supportive way they reacted was great to see.

“He’ll grow as a result of this experience and we believe he’s a player with an exciting future, both as a leader and with the bat.”

Hameed is entering the second season of his initial two-year Notts deal.