By Bradley West
Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott has stated his surprise at batsman Haseeb Hameed’s performances with the bat this season, labelling it “a complete and utter mystery”.
The 21-year-old opener, who made a sterling start to his international career with 219 runs in three Tests against India in 2016 before suffering a broken thumb, scored only 165 Championship runs this season at an average of 9.71.
As Lancashire were relegated to division two, Allott has outlined that Hameed is a major concern for the county.
Allott told BBC Radio Lancashire: “Haseeb Hameed is a dilemma for us – we gave him more opportunity, probably, than he deserved.
“Far too many games, probably, but having said that I’ve not seen a more talented young opening batsman in my 40-odd years in the game.
“The way he [Hameed] played here for us two years ago and then went to India and opened the batting for England – he was everybody’s choice as the next Alastair Cook basically.”
“Where his form and function have gone and disappeared to is a complete and utter mystery to us,” Allott said.
“I’m obviously very keen that he rejuvenates himself and finds his form again.”
