England Versus India - 1st Test (9 Nov - 13 Nov)

[budgetmeansbudget]

When I was nineteen I was barely able to organise council tax properly....At the same age Hameed is looking his country's most natural batter.

I really feel sorry for Hameed. He scores 60 runs, and literally everyone is proclaiming the second coming of Christ...... players dont need such hype, it puts negative amounts of pressure on them.

He doesn't look the type of guy who would bother about hype and the extra pressure it entails, appears as cool as a cucumber at the crease with massive amounts of focus.

[Arthur Crabtree]

When I was nineteen I was barely able to organise council tax properly....At the same age Hameed is looking his country's most natural batter.

I really feel sorry for Hameed. He scores 60 runs, and literally everyone is proclaiming the second coming of Christ...... players dont need such hype, it puts negative amounts of pressure on them.

Good point. He's probably got a fair amount of self belief though anyway.

I've read that no one has done anything with Cook since Strauss exchanged his whites for a pair of elasticated slacks. But a few have scored tons (I've pointed out those to outscore Cook too often to bother again). Hopefully he'll get a better deal than the others.

[Making_Splinters]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

[KipperJohn]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

In the context of his age, debut etc and when early wickets could have put England in a spot of bother he did rather well - It's the commentators that do the hype - this board is rightly more circumspect but willing to give credit where it's due.

[meninblue]

Haseeb is one of the rare player now who uses footwork as second line of defense. That is a good sight to watch personally. Credit to his coach whoever taught him that and credit to him for using the footwork in practical. Havent watched his other technique yet with reference to
elbow position etc so cant comment on that yet. Sweep is notbused by him much, but he may have to include it in his repitoire if he wants to score runs in Asia and get rid of forward short legs or disturb that fielder by putting some fear in him. There is one ball though that troubles him against spinners.The first look is very impressive. By the end of this series it will give a much better picture about his skill sets and temperament in hostile conditions.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

In the context of his age, debut etc and when early wickets could have put England in a spot of bother he did rather well - It's the commentators that do the hype - this board is rightly more circumspect but willing to give credit where it's due.

Yes, England were in a potentially vulnerable position when he came out to bat. It wasn't a pressure free innings, even if the pitch was good.

[meninblue]

Praise is important. It motivates them rather than putting pressure.

[Making_Splinters]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

In the context of his age, debut etc and when early wickets could have put England in a spot of bother he did rather well - It's the commentators that do the hype - this board is rightly more circumspect but willing to give credit where it's due.

He did decently enough, nothing more. As a Lancastrian I'm very worried regarding the way the press has been building Hameed up and indeed the way that he's started buying into his own press. When he fails, and he will like all players, it will be a huge hit, and if he gets dropped back to country cricket will have the strength to fight his way back up after everything that's been said to him thus far?

Let's see him do it on the inevitable bunsen that will be there for the second test. Credit where's it's due as you say.

[Arthur Crabtree]

There does seem to be a lot of optimism around the England team on other platforms considering England have just lost to Bangladesh for the first time. Maybe relief.

[Making_Splinters]

In part due to loss to Bangladesh, in part due to the fact it was widely expected we'd be getting hammered by now. All of which ignores the fact that this has been a dead pitch, though England have arguably out played India on it. If Cook can get some big runs tomorrow it would be a positive, but let's face it, the next Test will be on a raging turner unless the BCCI have finally lost the plot.

[meninblue]

In part due to loss to Bangladesh, in part due to the fact it was widely expected we'd be getting hammered by now. All of which ignores the fact that this has been a dead pitch, though England have arguably out played India on it. If Cook can get some big runs tomorrow it would be a positive, but let's face it, the next Test will be on a raging turner unless the BCCI have finally lost the plot.

This is a dead pitch but Cook and Hameed came out to bat after fielding for 6 sessions in this heat and were unbeaten and gave a strong unbeaten response partnership. It shows their stamina, concentration and determination.

Subjectively as well as statistically they have given a superb performance.

[hopeforthebest]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

It's not the number of runs but the young man's demeanor that's worthy of praise. Of course it's early days but this debut has been one of real promise. Incidentally he's not out, so a century is still possible and he has outscored two top India batsmen Kohli and Rahane already. I find it odd that as a Lancs supporter you object to him being praised at all.

[Making_Splinters]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

It's not the number of runs but the young man's demeanor that's worthy of praise. Of course it's early days but this debut has been one of real promise. Incidentally he's not out, so a century is still possible and he has outscored two top India batsmen Kohli and Rahane already. I find it odd that as a Lancs supporter you object to him being praised at all.

Have you read Dobell's write up? That should answer any question over this.

[bigfluffylemon]

When I was nineteen I was barely able to organise council tax properly....At the same age Hameed is looking his country's most natural batter.

I really feel sorry for Hameed. He scores 60 runs, and literally everyone is proclaiming the second coming of Christ...... players dont need such hype, it puts negative amounts of pressure on them.

Good point. He's probably got a fair amount of self belief though anyway.

I've read that no one has done anything with Cook since Strauss exchanged his whites for a pair of elasticated slacks. But a few have scored tons (I've pointed out those to outscore Cook too often to bother again). Hopefully he'll get a better deal than the others.

True. Compton scored a couple of tons in the opening position, and was Cook's partner when England won in India last time. He looked like the solution for a while.

[hopeforthebest]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

It's not the number of runs but the young man's demeanor that's worthy of praise. Of course it's early days but this debut has been one of real promise. Incidentally he's not out, so a century is still possible and he has outscored two top India batsmen Kohli and Rahane already. I find it odd that as a Lancs supporter you object to him being praised at all.

Have you read Dobell's write up? That should answer any question over this.

If you are directing your ire at the media who hype players up far too much and often far too early, then we're on the same page but my remarks on here have been subdued and will certainly not be widely read around the world.