Playing through the pain

[Gob]

Haseeb Hameed played one of the most courageous innings by an England batsman and left his teammates "in awe" of his performance as he valiantly tried to help his side in the third Test against India.



Hameed hit an unbeaten 59, batting for 10 minutes short of three hours, with the little finger of his left hand so badly broken that coach Trevor Bayliss described it as being in "two pieces". He took only two paracetamol tablets to help ease the pain and batted knowing another blow could result in a far more serious injury. Bayliss also revealed that Hameed was forced to devise a new way of gripping the bat to ease the pain from his hand, which will now require surgery and has ended his tour to India.

Hameed will fly home to have a metal plate inserted into the finger to help the healing process and be fit for the start of next season.

He leaves India having earned the respect of his teammates and with the coach's praise ringing in his ears. Virat Kohli, the captain of India, shook his (good) hand after "an innings full of character" from a player he believes is "definitely going to be a future star".

Bayliss, whose side lost by eight wickets to go 2-0 down in the five-match series, said: "It's a break that is all the way through the finger - the finger's in two pieces, so it's an injury that the medical people say if he gets another knock on it, especially in the field, it could bend it right back so it's best to get it done as soon as we can. There's plenty of other guys who have got hit and made a big song and dance about it. Obviously, he's got a big pain threshold. I think there's a lot of guys in there in awe of what he's been through. The lack of showing any pain and guts and determination is a good sign.

"If you'd have seen him in the changing room though you wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with him. He wants to stay and play the last two Tests, he wouldn't take no for an answer. His old man said, 'Just tape it up, he'll be all right'. Not only can he play but it's great to see an attitude like that. We'll make sure he gets back and gets it done so he's right to go early next season."

[oldr_n_wsr]

Australian football?
Hurling?
Curling?
Oh wait, 3 hours at bat, must be cricket.

[RayThom]

Not to sound repetitive but Haseeb Hameed has the right stuff. Name five exceptional sports stars and his name would be included on the list. What a hero. Haseeb, we salute you.