All-clear for Hameed after finger scare

HASEEB HAMEED has escaped another spell on the sidelines when scans on his injured hand yesterday revealed no bone damage. The exciting Hameed was hurt in Lancashire’s season opener against Cambridge University at Fenner’s and there were fears that he had again broken the little finger of his left hand that curtailed his England tour in India. But Hameed was found to have only bruised his hand while he was fielding, forcing him to retire hurt after 23 balls in Lancashire’s first innings. There is still a doubt over whether the 20-year-old will play in the County Championship opener against Essex at Chelmsford on Friday while he recovers from this injury and a second winter operation, this one for sinus problems. But with England’s first Test of this summer not coming until they face South Africa at Lord’s in early July, Hameed has time to prove his readiness.