Ashes squad not on Hameed’s mind
HASEEB Hameed insists he isn’t thinking about this winter’s Ashes.
Last winter, the Lancashire opener looked certain for a long career in the England Test side after impressing on his debut in India.
There was praise aplenty for the then 19-year-old at how he had made the step up to international cricket after a first full campaign with Lancashire in the County Championship.
A broken thumb curtailed his tour, and then an operation on his sinuses hit his pre-season preparations. And he has struggled to hit the same heights this season.
Despite playing in every one of Lancashire’s Championship matches this season, he is still waiting for his first century of the campaign.
However, he has shown improved form in recent weeks, hitting 88 against leaders Essex at Emirates Old Trafford.
And there are places available in the England squad travelling Down Under, with Mark Stoneman, Tom Westley and Dawid Malan unable to be certain of their places on the tour after the West Indies series.
England are keen to pick Hameed, but he needs some runs in the final three matches to help them in their selection.
But Hameed, now 20, can’t afford to look to far ahead.
“My focus is very much on the next games for Lancashire,” he told M.E.N. Sport.
“It would be great to go on that Ashes tour, but the process is pretty simple for me, I have to do well for Lancashire and then that will hopefully bring further honours.”