SO MUCH TALENT, SO LET’S SUPPORT HASEEB

I thought it at the time and I think it even more so now, but we heaped far too much praise on Haseeb Hameed after his performances for England in the winter. The lad did well and he is a fantastic prospect, but it’s far too early to be waxing lyrical about him.We need to let the kid develop and show us the player he really can become.

He was fast-tracked into the England side but the more you play, your technique, as good as it may be, will be in the spotlight and bowlers will be desperate to knock you over.You suddenly become a scalp, and players want your number.

It’s a frustrating time for him and his injury will have added to that, but he will come through it and it will be the making of the man, I really do believe that.

The problem England have is what do they do about picking him? A lot of water has passed under the bridge since he made that breakthrough on the Subcontinent. He is nowhere near the white-ball set-up, so what do England do? Do they back him and say you were the man before, or do they look at his form and what may be a lack of confidence and act on it?

The selectors will be keeping an eye on matters. But whatever happens I am sure, with the talent and temperament he has, that he’ll get back on his feet and England will benefit in the long run. He’s just too good!