HAMEED RECALLED FOR INDIA TEST SERIES
HASEEB HAMEED celebrated his call-up into the England squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming India series with a hundred against the tourists for a County Select XI last Wednesday (21).
The 24-year-old played three Tests in India in 2016 before injuries and a subsequent loss of form derailed his career. He had been dubbed ‘Baby Boycott’ for a determined approach at the crease that resembled that of England opening great Geoffrey Boycott.
It was a nickname he lived up to last week with a painstaking innings of 112 off 246 balls including 13 fours on the second day of a three-day game at Chester-le-Street.
Hameed’s ton was the cornerstone of the Select XI’s 220 in reply to India’s first-innings 311.
A revitalised cricketer since moving from his native Lancashire to Nottinghamshire, Hameed’s more than five-hour innings ended when he was caught behind off Shardul Thakur.
Seamer Ollie Robinson has also been recalled to the England squad. The 27-year-old was handed an eight-match ban, five of which are suspended for two years, for a number of “offensive tweets” he had sent out between 2012-2014 that came to light during his England Test debut against New Zealand in June.
Earlier this month, Robinson, who took seven wickets on his Lord’s debut, was cleared to return to international duty.
The major absentee is Jofra Archer, who is still recovering from an elbow injury. Chris Woakes is also out with a bruised heel. In their absence, the pace bowling unit will be led by James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood.
England’s 17-man squad also includes Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran, all of whom were rested from the New Zealand series following their involvement in this year’s Covid19-hit Indian Premier League.
All-rounder Ben Stokes, who captained a second-string 50-over English side to a thumping 3-0 series win over Pakistan earlier this month, also makes a comeback in the longest format. He sat out the New Zealand series due to a fractured finger.
“India are a quality team who have shown their ability to get results away from home. We are expecting a highly competitive series and have selected our strongest possible squad,” said England coach Chris Silverwood.
The opening Test of the series starts next Wednesday (4) at Trent Bridge.