Haseeb Hameed poses for a pic.
Haseeb Hameed poses for a pic.

19-year-old Lancashire batsman, and with roots in Ahmedabad, Haseeb Hameed is set to make his Test match debut in the first Test match against India which starts on November 9. Hameed will be replacing Ben Duckett as an opener, who will move to number 4 position in place of out-of-form Gary Ballance. Ballance had a poor run in Bangladesh and could just score 24 runs in four innings which has enforced captain to drop him from the squad.

Hameed will now become the fifth-youngest Test debutant for England and Cook’s tenth opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss.

“Haseeb has impressed everyone so far on this trip, you wonder if a 19-year-old, coming on tour, will be overawed but he hasn’t been at all. He has looked really good in the nets and the way he has gone about his business. It’s obviously a very special day to pick someone so young.

“He is incredibly unflappable. He looks a very good player of spin. He picks length well and uses the crease well. Stuart Broad bowled at him last summer and was almost straight on the phone to me saying how impressed he was with this guy” Cook added.

“He is one of those natural run-scorers. All through his age group, whatever team and whatever standard, he has scored runs. It’s probably a year earlier than he would have thought. But to average 50-odd as an opener in Division One as a 19-year-old is an incredible feat. I was nowhere near the player he is at 19.

“Of course there will be some tough moments for him over the next few of playing Test cricket, but I think this guy can play” Cook Said.

Interestingly, Hamid’s parents were born here in this state and now he is making his debut here, a special moment for him.

It is going to be a tough Test series for England who is coming fresh off a loss against Bangladesh. Alastair Cook, the most experienced member of England cricket team will have to lead the team from the front setting an example for the youngsters. Tackling spin will be the biggest challenge for them. Talking of Indian cricket team, they will also have a debutant tomorrow or maybe two. As of now, it looks like Karun Nair, who made his ODI debut in the month of June this year will get his maiden Test match cap tomorrow.