Hameed’s form now a dilemma for Lancs
PAUL Allott admits Lancashire are facing a dilemma over Haseeb Hameed, and says the reason behind his dramatic loss of form is an ‘utter mystery’ to the club.
The opening batsman was tipped as Alastair Cook’s long-term replacement when he broke into the England set-up in the winter of 2016. His performances for Lancashire that season had warranted the call-up, and his displays in India had everyone convinced his place in the Test line-up was secure for the next decade.
However, a broken finger ended that tour after just three matches, and since then he has suffered an alarming drop in form. The following summer, the man dubbed ‘baby Boycott’ struggled at county level, scoring just 522 runs in 24 innings. It was thought it was just a blip from a young man still at the early stages of his career and he was expected to return to form this season.
However, it has been a shocking summer for the 21-year-old. He scored just 170 runs in 18 first-class innings at an average of 9.4. It has seen him fall in and out of the Lancashire first team, and he finished the season watching the club lose its First Division status in the Specsavers County Championship rather than being out in the middle trying to prevent it. Hameed still has two years left of a four-year contract handed to him by then-Red Rose head coach Ashley Giles in Februray 2016. And current director of cricket Allott admits Lancashire aren’t too sure what to do next with the former Bolton School pupil.
“Haseeb Hameed is a dilemma for us,” he said. “We have given him more opportunity than he probably deserved through the summer, he played far too many games. “Having said that, I have not seen a more talented young opening batsman in my 40-odd years in the game. “The way he played for us two years ago, and then went to India and opened the batting for England, he was everybody’s choice as the next Alastair Cook. “Where his form and function have gone and disappeared to is a complete and utter mystery to us. I am very keen he rejuvenates himself and finds his form again.”
Allott also revealed Lancashire made a move to sign Worcestershire’s Joe Clarke but lost out to Nottinghamshire. He is keen to promote young players into the side in a bid to secure promotion, and has a warning to Hameed that he faces real competition.
“Brooke Guest played in the last game of the season, Josh Bohannon has played well, we have a crop of 18 and 19-year-old batsmen who are knocking on the door,” Allott told BBC Radio Lancashire. Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allot NEWCASTLE