"It’s Cruel Sometimes, Isn’t It?": James Anderson On Haseeb Hameed’s First-Ball Duck On Return

England pacer James Anderson was supportive of Haseeb Hameed after the latter had a devastating return to Test cricket. Hameed, having just come in after the fall of Dom Sibley, was bowled on his very first ball delivered by Mohammad Siraj.

Hameed had debuted for England in December 2016 against India. After three Tests, he was dropped from the national side. He went back and worked on his technique and finally received a chance in the second Test against the same opponents at Lord’s.

Unfortunately, he received a full-length delivery which Haseeb played down the wrong line. The stumps behind him were rattled, leaving the batsman dejected. While discussing the day’s play, Anderson offered support to the youngster.

“Cricket can be very, very cruel and I do feel for him. But he’s got another chance in this game, and I’m sure he’ll get another chance throughout the series to show what he can do,” the 39-year-old pacer said.

“It was just his class from ball one” – James Anderson on skipper Joe Root

Joe Root walked out to the crease to face the hat-trick delivery from Mohammad Siraj. He survived and went on to stitch an innings rebuilding partnership with Rory Burns. In the process, he went past Graham Gooch’s tally of runs in Test Cricket.

Anderson was full of praise for his captain and called him a ‘superman’.

“Absolutely, Joe has been amazing. Throughout his career, and in this last 12 months in particular with everything that we’ve been through with the pandemic and pressure on this team, to be able to captain the side, and perform the way he has is nothing more than superhuman.”

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, and every time he goes out, he just shows the class and today was exactly that. It was just his class from ball one. He played quite comfortably,” Anderson concluded.

Root was at the crease with Jonny Bairstow at the end of play on Day 2. England was still 245 runs behind India, but the Yorkshire-duo will look to capitalize on a pitch that’s getting better for batting.

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