Hameed technically better opener than Cook: Anderson

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Haseeb Hameed
© Getty

James Anderson, England’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, said that the promising 20-year-old batsman Haseeb Hameed is already “a better, more technically sound opener” than Alastair Cook.

Hameed blended solid defence and an array of shots to compile 219 runs, at an average of 43.80, in the three Tests he played in the recently-concluded five-match Test series against India. However, he sustained a fracture on his left-hand in the third Test in Mohali and was ruled out of the rest of the series.

This week, the right-handed opener required another scan on his left-hand after he was struck by a delivery from Cambridge MCCU’s opening bowler Tim Moses. Hameed, though, was cleared of any major injury threat and is set to play in Lancashire’s County Championship opener against Essex, starting Friday (April 7).

“His ability and his talent is frightening for such a young lad, so I think he’ll cope with anything,” said Anderson. “He’s right up there. I know Cookie is the leading run-scorer – but I’d say he is a better, more technically sound opening batsman than Cook. I don’t want to talk him up too much – he’s bound to have the worst year of his life if I do! But yes, I think he’s just a very exciting talent.”

Hameed made his foray into the England side after accruing 1,198 runs at an average of 49.91 for Lancashire in the County Championship last season. The stylish right-hander also became the first cricketer from Lancashire to compile centuries in both innings in a Roses match against Yorkshire.

Hameed has a busy international schedule ahead of him. As a Test specialist, he will likely feature in the series against South Africa and West Indies during the home summer, which will be followed by the Ashes series in Australia at the end of the year.

Australia are known to play an aggressive and ruthless brand of cricket. Anderson, however, reckoned that Hameed has the required temperament to navigate through Australia’s pace attack. “I’m sure they will throw everything they’ve got at him – certainly with pace, short balls, aggression, verbals – I’m sure they’ll go at him,” he noted. “They usually pick on the young guys – but with his calm nature, I think he’ll be able to handle it.”