Trio of 17-year-olds earn Lancashire deals

Lancashire have given three of their young players their first professional contracts as Ashley Giles, the new head coach, starts to shape his squad for next season.

Haseeb Hameed, Matthew Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood, who are all 17, have joined the full-time staff. Hameed and Mahmood played for England U-19s in the 2014 season while Parkinson, a legspinner, has played for the U-17 side and in August took 6 for 28 in a Lancashire 2nd XI Trophy match against Leicestershire.

Hameed scored 112 in that same match but really made his mark during the U-19 series against South Africa when he piled up 389 runs in five matches - the most by any batsman in a youth bilateral one-day series, beating the 387 of Phil Hughes against Pakistan in 2007 - including consecutive scores of 97, 97 and 125.

Mahmood joined the Lancashire academy two seasons ago and has since been part of the England development programme. He made his U-19 debut in the second Test against South Africa where he took 3 for 12 in the first innings.

"Internal development will be key to our medium and long term sustainability and success," Giles said. "These young players are the future of Lancashire cricket and I look forward to working closely with them over the coming years."

The academy director, John Stanworth, added: "I am delighted the county have recognised the potential and achievements of these three youngsters and given them the opportunity to develop quickly as full time professionals."