QUOTES OF THE WEEK...

JOHN HUTCHINSON, coach at Farndale Social Circle CC in Bolton, quoted in The Times on the moment the penny dropped about the potential of England’s Haseeb Hameed:

“I remember he played in an Under 13 cup final. The coach at the time was a man named Jack Taylor, one of those characters who didn’t give praise to anybody. It was one of those games where you’re retired out at 30. Haseeb got to 30, retired and I remember Jack saying: ‘he’s the best batsman I’ve ever seen’. That was so out of character for Jack I knew he must be pretty special. More, from Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan, discussing Baby Boycott with their radio show host Mark Chapman:

Vaughan: “I’d question the family showing him videos of Geoffrey Boycott. That can’t have been that interesting. It’s been a long while in waiting but we finally look like we’ve got an opening partnership.”

Tufnell: “He looked very poised. That’s what struck everyone.”

Vaughan: “Can you defend good balls in Test match cricket? If you can, you can bat a long period of time and that’s why Hameed looks as though he’s got a long future.”

Tufnell: “We haven’t seen him play the short ball yet.”

Chapman: “What advice would you give him?”

Tufnell: “Get out of the way!” ABC radio commentators, tucking into Australia’s batsmen as they slumped to 17-5 on the first morning of the second Test against South Africa in Hobart, en route to 85 all out and series defeat.

“Vernon Philander, looking for a better line to Warner. That’s better, Warner has a big swish ... and he’s out. It’s a shocking shot from the vicecaptain, it’s a mile outside off stump and Warner is on his way…. as a leader, that is a disappointing shot, there will be a national sense of appall at that shot… that is reckless.

“Abbott bowls to Burns, struck on the pad… great shout… OUT… Joe Burns has been given out lbw and Australia has lost two wickets in the first two overs … Trent Bridge, anyone?”

The heart bleeds, of course.