Haseeb Hameed: Batting prodigy in profile as 19-year-old opener gears up to become only sixth teen ever to play for England
The late Ben Hollioake was the last teenager to debut in 1997
THERE is a word used to describe Haseeb Hameed on virtually every day of England’s tour of Bangladesh and India.
Talented, perhaps? What about determined? And how does precocious sound?
Well, yes, Hameed is talented, determined and precocious. But the word that people attach to his personality is unflappable.
Alastair Cook offered the description yesterday and everybody in the England management has been amazed at Hameed’s poise, calmness and unflappability.
This, remember, is a 19-year-old on his first England tour to the country from where his parents come and he is now making his Test debut.
He is only the sixth teenager ever to play for England and the first since the late Ben Hollioake in 1997.
Last evening, just 15 hours before taking the field for England for the first time, Hameed explained his demeanour: “One of the qualities instilled in me is to not get too high or too low.
"Cricket is a very up and down game – on top of the world one minute and down the next. So it’s important to stay level-headed and take things in the short term, day-by-day, ball-by-ball, as it comes.”
Hameed was brought in as Alastair Cook’s 12th opening partner since 2012 with Ben Duckett dropping to No.4 and replacing Gary Ballance.
He added: “I guess a lot of things are meant to be, the fact that it is against India in the home state of my parents. The way it has fallen into place is amazing.
“Not being chosen in Bangladesh gave me the chance to work on my game and get used to conditions.
“The lads have been great and it’s exciting for me and English cricket, I guess, as not many 19-year-olds have played for England.”
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Hameed’s family – both parents, one brother and two sisters - were in Bangladesh. They have come on to India and the brother, Nuaman, was married here in the state of Gujarat last weekend. Haseeb was advised by the family not to attend.
They made the five-hour drive in time to witness his debut. Another brother, Safwaan, is on his way later this month and the whole family will remain in India until the Test series ends on December 20.
To many 19-year-olds, having the family on your first time would be embarrassing. But their presence brings only joy and comfort to Haseeb.
Cook reckons the youngster could have a glittering career, insisting: “He is incredibly unflappable. Stuart Broad bowled at him last summer and was on the phone to me saying how impressed he was with the guy.
“My only concern was picking someone so young and thinking he looks out of place. He looks young as well and we wondered how he’d cope. But he’s been absolutely superb. You wouldn’t know he was 19.
“He’s scored runs at every level he’s played. And he’s done it quicker than anyone thought. To average 50-odd as an opener in Division One as a 19-year-old last summer is an incredible feat.
“I was nowhere near the player he is at 19. It’s really exciting, Of course there will be tough moments for him over the next few of playing Test cricket but I think this guy can play.”