Haseeb Hameed – The hard-working opening batsman returns to the top

In the recently concluded warm-up match between the Select County XI and the Indian cricket team, a 24-year-old youngster stood out for his excellent display with the willow. Against a bowling attack consisting of the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, Haseeb Hameed scored a classy 112 off 246 deliveries in the first innings at the top of the order.

The next highest run-scorer for his side in the first innings was Liam Patterson-White, who scored 33. And, Hameed did not face any discomfort out in the middle when he faced up against world-class bowlers.

Hameed has raked in the runs consistently in first-class cricket. In his last 5 first-class innings, he has scored 2 fifties and a century and has hogged the limelight in recent times.  Also, Hameed boasts of a good record in first-class cricket. The right-handed opening batsman has scored nearly 4000 runs at the first-class level at an average of 33.72. He has piled up 8 centuries and 22 half-centuries in first-class cricket as well.

100 for Hameed!

Haseeb Hameed brings up his century against India at Durham and what a time to get it!#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/0CY2rjecSR

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 21, 2021

For a man who has been extremely talented, Hameed has played just 3 Test matches for England. He has scored 219 runs in the whites for his country at an average of 43.80. Hameed made his Test debut way back in the year 2016 against the Indian side. He was just 19 years old when he took guard for England for the first time.

Hameed sparkled on his Test debut and scored an attractive 82 against the Indian side. He also scored another composed 59* in his 3rd Test match as well. However, after 2016, Hameed has not got another chance to represent England at the international level.

Hameed experienced a good start to his Test career and should have played more than just the 3 Test matches that he has played for England till now. He is an extremely hard-working cricketer, has a good temperament, does not get flustered under pressure and is proficient off either foot was well.

Haseeb Hameed has been included in the England Test squad for the all-important five-match Test series against the Indian side, starting on 4th August 2021.

And, if he is provided with the opportunity, Hameed will be hoping to make a good impression with the willow so that he can seal a permanent spot in the England Test lineup in the long run.