Jimmy: Hameed better than Cook
JAMES Anderson has made the extraordinary claim that rookie England opener Haseeb Hameed is already a better batsman than Alastair Cook, their highest Test run-scorer of all time.
England’s leading Test wickettaker was set to play against his friend and former Test skipper in Lancashire’s first County Championship match of the season against Essex at Chelmsford, starting today (Friday), before Cook was ruled out this week with a hip injury.
After a year in which he has been beset by injury, Anderson is desperate to show he should still be at the centre of England’s bowling plans. But his claim that Hameed, whose England career amounts to three Tests in India last winter, is a better opening batsman than Cook – who has played more Tests, scored more runs and hit more centuries than any other England player – is sure to raise a number of eyebrows.
Asked how highly he rated the 20-year-old ‘Baby Boycott’ among those who have come into the England side during his time, Anderson described him as “right up there with the best”.
Then he came up with the following amazing assertion: “It’s a difficult thing to say. I know Cookie is
> the leading run scorer but I’d say [Hameed] is a better, more technically sound opening batsman than Cook. Bowling at him in the nets, he’s so up to opening the batting, the way he plays it late, leaves the ball.
“I don’t want to talk him up too much – he’s bound to have the worst year if I do. But yeah, I think he’s just a very exciting talent.”
Invited to compare the two in terms of focus and concentration, Anderson added: “Hameed’s got them in bucket-loads and having that mind-set will stand him in good stead. He copes with everything that’s thrown at him.
“From an opening bowler’s point of view when you are sat in the dressing room and your opening batter has that calm way about him it just settles the whole dressing room.”
Anderson also agrees that these attributes will be vital should Hameed cement his place in the side by the time England depart to take on Australia for the Ashes in October.
“Definitely,” he said. “I’m sure they will give him everything they’ve got. 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 handle it.”
At the end of a brilliant breakthrough season for Lancashire last summer, the then19-year-old made 31 and 82 on Test debut against India in Rajkot and compiled 219 runs in three Tests before a finger injury ended his series, his precocious authority encouraging hopes that, after so many failed attempts, England had found a long-term replacement for Andrew Strauss as Cook’s opening partner.
Following a less spectacular return with England Lions, Hameed underwent sinus surgery that ruled him out of the MCC-Middlesex in Abu Dhabi and his season started painfully when he retired after a blow on the hand at Fenner’s.
Scans, however, showed bruising rather than a fracture but neither Lancashire nor England will want to take any chances.
As for the challenge Hameed now faces in living up to expectations, pressure Anderson may inadvertently have cranked up with his comments, the leader of the England attack is certain the Bolton-born opener has what it takes to shine.
“He’s such a calm level-headed lad I don’t think he’ll need much help,” said Anderson. “He’s very switched on for his age; he’s got a good solid family behind him that help him a lot.
“He’s got all the attributes to be able to cope. His ability and his talent is frightening for such a young lad.”