'He Is Making A Very Strong Case' : Chris Silverwood Hints At Haseeb Hameed's Inclusion For The Second Test Against India

The English team is likely to slot in young opener Haseeb Hameed for the second Test against India at Lord’s, beginning on Thursday. Head coach Chris Silverwood stated that Haseeb Hameed has continued to make a strong case for selection; hence, he deserves an opportunity. Hameed has already featured in three Tests thus far.

Haseeb Hameed returned to the Test team five years after debuting in international cricket. The Lancashire-born opener scored a gritty hundred in the warm-up fixture against India in Durham, finishing with 112 off 146 deliveries. The 24-year old also already averages a healthy 43.80, with two fifties.

Chris Silverwood reckoned that Haseeb Hameed has made an irrefutable case for selection, doing all the things right. Silverwood opined that Hameed has been amongst the runs in the first-class circuit and feels his century in the practice game is a testament of his enormous potential. Silverwood further stated the management has to decide at some point and give Haseeb Hameed a chance.

“He is making a very strong case. He’s done everything he possibly can to be ready. What he did early season in the Championship shows there’s a lot of class there. He put his best foot forward in Durham when he scored that hundred – it shows he can cope against this attack. At some point, we will have to make a decision and give him an opportunity. I’m confident that he’s as ready as he could be,” Silverwood stated as quoted by Sky Sports.

While England had their heads above water in the drawn Test due to rains in Nottingham, it was significantly due to their captain Joe Root. Joe Root top-scored for the home side in both innings, including a hundred to set India 209 for victory. Former England cricketers also expressed their concerns about the lack of runs from the openers, who produced underwhelming returns.

He’s showing fine form in The Hundred: Chris Silverwood

Chris Silverwood also opened up on Moeen Ali’s chances of slotting in the eleven as he admitted all-rounder Ben Stokes remained a massive loss and termed the former as a terrific player. The former English player talked about his encouraging form in The Hundred and has faith in his abilities.

“You take a Ben Stokes out of that squad and it makes it hard to balance. It poses problems for us…We know he is a fine cricketer. He’s showing fine form in The Hundred. I appreciate it’s a different format, but he’s showing us what he can do,” he added.

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