Hameed technically more sound than Cook, says Anderson

According to English pacer James Anderson, England’s 20-year-old promising cricketer Haseeb Hameed is already a “better, more technically sound opener” than Alastair Cook.  In the recently concluded test series against India Hameed played excellently to manage 219 runs in the three test matches he played. He also possessed a decent average of 43.80 in the three matches before fracturing his left hand in the third test at Mohali which ruled him out of the rest of the series.

The right-handed opener underwent another scan on his left hand this week after he was struck by a delivery from Tim Moses, Cambridge MCCU’S opening bowler. However, the promising batsman was declared fit to play against Essex in Lancashire’s county Championship opener starting on  April 7^th as there are no threats of a major injury.

Anderson quoted “His ability and his talent is frightening for such a young lad, so I think he’ll cope with anything. He’s right up there. I know Cookie is the leading run-scorer – but I’d say he is a better, more technically sound opening batsman than Cook. I don’t want to talk him up too much – he’s bound to have the worst year of his life if I do! But yes, I think he’s just a very exciting talent.”

Hameed acquired 1198 runs at an average of 49.91 for Lancashire in the County Championship last season which helped him burst into the England side. He also became the first cricketer from Lancashire to hit centuries in both innings in a Roses match against Yorkshire.

The player now has a busy and tough international schedule ahead of him with tests against South Africa and West Indies followed by the all important Ashes at the end of the year. However, Anderson believes that Hameed possesses the right kind of temperament to see off a ruthless Aussie attack in the Ashes.

“I’m sure they will throw everything they’ve got at him – certainly with pace, short balls, aggression, verbals – I’m sure they’ll go at him. They usually pick on the young guys – but with his calm nature, I think he’ll be able to handle it.”