Haseeb Hameed would have got a century in the next Test, says Mumbai coach

As recent history would suggest, there is no better place than India for an England batsman to debut in Tests. From Alastair Cook to Joe Root, the list only seems to be growing with 19-year old Haseeb Hameed likely to follow in the footsteps of the senior duo by going on to have a productive career. Despite being ruled out of the last two Tests of the series due to a finger injury, the opener will return to India to provide moral support to his teammates.

According to Vidyadhar Paradkar, who has helped innumerable cricketers hone their skills in Mumbai, Hameed would have enjoyed the true bounce at the Wankhede Stadium and helped himself to his maiden Test century had he remained fit. It is pertinent to note that the right-hander had visited the city last year and worked on his batting under Paradkar’s guidance including a few practice matches at Cross Maidan.

Speaking to mid-day, Paradkar claimed, “It’s really unfortunate that Haseeb won’t play at Wankhede due to injury. He is playing with great temperament and I was confident that he would surely score his first Test century here. But it’s just bad luck to him and his family as they had already booked rooms in a hotel near the stadium to enjoy the Mumbai Test.”

With scores of 31 and 82 on a fairly docile Rajkot pitch easing his passage to Test cricket, he showed maturity and grit beyond his age during the third Test in Mohali. After getting his finger battered from a vicious delivery from Umesh Yadav in the first innings, Hameed came in at 8 in the second innings and lent some respectability to his side’s total with an unbeaten 156-ball 59.

Despite facing the prospect of surgery, the teenager refused to leave the tour and instead wanted to continue batting. England coach Trevor Bayliss had confirmed, “It's a break that is all the way through the finger – the finger's in two pieces. He wants to stay and play the last two Tests. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and his old man said ‘Just tape it up — he’ll be alright.’ Not only can he play, but it’s great to see an attitude like that.”

However, Hameed will have to wait until next year’s home summer to start building on his 3 Test caps. Currently 0-2 down in the 5-match series, England will have to field an uncapped opening batsman in order to try and pull one back in the fourth Test at Mumbai. Durham’s Keaton Jennings, son of former South Africa coach Ray, is set to make his Test debut at Wankhede.

The Johannesburg-born left-hander celebrated his maiden England call-up by smashing a 105-ball 101 for Lions in a 50-overs match against UAE. But, Test cricket is an entirely different ball game and the top-ranked team in the world will be waiting for him at Wankhede when the fourth Test begins on the 8^th.

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