Captain Chris Simpson led England to a team bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Pakistan.

It followed his run to the last 16 in the individual event last week.

Simpson, a student at Brighton College, now plans to turn professional after completing his A levels next year.

He said: "It was a tough couple of weeks. Conditions were difficult for me and the other English players.

I thought it would be hot in Pakistan but the air-conditioning was turned up. It was too cold and the ball didn't bounce very high.

"The host players had the advantage of practising in those conditions before the tournament.

"But I proved to myself that I could play at world level.

"I feel sure I would have made the last eight and perhaps have gone on to win the individual event but for stomach problems on the morning of my last 16 match.

"It underlined my belief that I am good enough to become a professional and I will go full-time after my exams.

"I will have to play tournaments in Pakistan and India on the tour to boost my world ranking. So what I did in Islamabad this time round should hold me in good stead."

Simpson, 17, wanted to help England regain the world crown relinquished by a team including Peter Barker and world junior champion James Willstrop, who won the individual crown two years ago.

But his side lost 3-0 in the semi-final to eventual runners-up Egypt.

He said: "I felt the team was good enough to win the whole thing. We were only two shots away from the final.

"Our No.2 Tom Richards was 2-1 up and 7-7 in the fourth game but made a couple of errors.

"It would have been good to have had a crack at Pakistan.

"If Tom had won, I am convinced James Wright, at No.3, would have pulled out the stops and sealed the match."

England overcame Kuwait 2-1 to secure third place.

Simpson said: "It was good to have got something out of it. Third in the world doesn't sound too bad."

He takes heart from the progress Barker and Willstrop have made since losing in their final.

"James is around the top ten in the world on the professional ranking list and Peter is in the top 30, so they've bounced back from not winning the gold to do well for themselves."

England manager Mike Harris, who is based at Corals, Hove, is convinced Simpson has the potential to join Willstrop as a top-tenner.

He said: "There is no doubt he has the talent but it all comes down to how much he wants it.

"I was convinced that he would make a good captain because of his professional attitude and he showed that in Pakistan. It was a shame he couldn't lead us to gold but the event went to the form book."

Simpson will take on Barker in an exhibition at Corals on September 29.

It will be a warm-up to a top-of-the-bill clash between Willstrop and Commonwealth Games champion David Palmer.