Lancashire’s director of cricket Paul Allott has described Haseeb Hameed’s poor season as a “dilemma” and conceded that he was given “far too many games” to find his form.
The Red Rose county were relegated from Division One as Hameed struggled to find any kind of form, finishing with just 165 runs in the County Championship at an average of 9.71.
“The way he 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.”
After Cook’s retirement, Rory Burns has now been given the task of partnering the under-pressure Keaton Jennings at the top of England’s order in the Test series against Sri Lanka.
While England’s opening berths remain up for grabs, Hameed’s focus will be cementing himself in Lancashire’s team and returning to the form that made him a breakout star in 2016. Allott added: “I’m obviously very keen that he rejuvenates himself and finds his form again.”
