BLOW TO HAMEED’S ASHES AMBITION

HASEEB HAMEED suffered another blow in a nightmare season yesterday when he sustained a broken finger that could end any chance he had of an Ashes winter. Hameed, whose breakthrough Test series in India was curtailed by a serious break to the little finger of his left hand, this time fractured his right one at Lord’s when he was struck by Middlesex’s James Harris and retired hurt 23 not out while batting for Lancashire. Hameed returned to bat but failed to add to his score, ending unbeaten as Lancashire failed to stave off defeat. It follows a barren run of form that has seen the precocious opener fail to make a century all season and fall out of England contention after he seemed destined for a long international career. England’s selectors pick their Ashes squad on Tuesday and even though they hold Hameed, 20, in high regard it would be a gamble to include an opener with question marks over fitness and form. One man who could yet stake an Ashes claim is Alex Hales, who was denied an opportunity to enhance his credentials by the rain that washed out yesterday’s second Royal London one-day international between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge. Only 2.2 overs were bowled before the elements set in but there was time for Hales to hit two crisp boundaries in England’s 21 without loss. The rain ceased virtually as soon as the game was called off at 4.15pm but by then the outfield had taken a deluge and it was felt that even a 20over match was not possible.