India vs England: Haseeb Hameed to make England debut alongside Alastair Cook as Gary Ballance is dropped
HASEEB HAMEED is set to make his England debut alongside Alastair Cook tomorrow.
The 19-year-old opener comes into partner the skipper with Ben Duckett dropping to No4 and Gary Ballance axed.
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Yorkshire batsman Ballance averaged just six in the drawn series in Bangladesh to continue his struggles for form.
Cook said: "We have all been hugely impressed with the way Haseeb has gone about his business on this tour. Nothing seems to phase him.
"I feel sorry for Gary. They were tough conditions in Bangladesh and ultimately it's about how many runs you score.
"I still think he's a fine player and one who I think will play again for England and do well."
England's selectors have opted to give Hameed, 19, a chance to prove he is mature enough to make the step up from first-class cricket to Tests.
The Lancashire star, who scored 1,129 runs at an average of 52 in County Championship Division One this summer, is only the second teen to play Test cricket for England since 1949.
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Ben Hollioake was 19 when he played against Australia in 1997- Hameed would have been younger than the all-rounder had he made his debut against Bangladesh.