Haseeb Hameed and Buttler set to face Test axe

England hasn’t played a single Test this year. Their last assignment, a humiliating 4-0 drubbing from India, came in December 2016. Haseeb Hameed, a tiny sized 19-year old, made his debut in the first Test and impressed many with his technique and temperament. He scored two attractive half-centuries before a finger injury ruled him out for the last two Test matches.

Haseeb was, at that point, tipped to be a long term solution to England’s vows of finding a suitable partner for Alistair Cook at the top of the order. Haseeb’s loss was young Keaton Jennings’ gain as he recorded a memorable debut innings hundred at Mumbai. Though his knock couldn’t get his team over the line, it promised a lot. Lancashire lad Haseeb, who would have walked in into the squad, is now facing a possible axing from the squad of England to face South Africa at home next month.

Haseeb’s poor form in County Cricket

Haseeb hasn’t made enough runs since the India series. In 15 first-class innings this season, the right-hander has failed to register a single half-century and has been dismissed without scoring 4 times. These are alarming numbers and might force the selectors to leave out this talented opening batsman from the squad. Maybe the youngster has been burdened by the weight of expectations set on him post his success in India.

Buttler’s twin failures

Jos Buttler was also a part of the squad which toured India. He fared decently after he was drafted in the XI as a specialist batsman managing to record 154 runs in 3 Tests at 38.50. Playing his first first-class game this year, Buttler managed to registers scores of 2 and 1 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

The 26-year old has been a superstar for England in the limited-overs version but has failed to get going in the longest format of the game. After making his Test debut in 2014, Buttler has won 18 Test caps and recorded 784 runs at 31.36 scoring 6 half-centuries. He is a dangerous white-ball player but has expressed his desire to succeed in red-ball cricket.

The series against South Africa will mark a new dawn in England cricket. Joe Root, the country’s best batsman, will lead England for the first time as Alistair Cook stepped down from his position earlier this year.