#SupportTheNext campaign film, screened at Londons BAFTA.The n

They have kissed some frogs along the way, but it looks as if England may have found their prince.It wasnt just Haseeb Hameeds runs that impressed. And it wasnt just the uncomplicated technique. It was, most of all, the composure of a 19-year-old dealing with the pressure of playing his first Test against the No. 1 rated side in their own country. If he had any nerves, he didnt show them.The basic facts are these: Hameed has become the first England opener to make a half-century on debut since Alastair Cook in 2006. He has become the third youngest man (after Jack Crawford and Denis Compton) to make a half-century in Test cricket for England (and the second youngest opener, after Crawford) and, if he makes 38 more runs on the final day, he will be the first England opener to make a century on debut since Cook and the youngest England Test centurion of all time.While the scorecard hardly suggests it, his runs were made under some pressure. With England starting their second innings just 49 runs ahead of India and the pitch starting to show signs of modest deterioration, any early wickets could have resulted in a serious case of jitters in the England dressing room. Offering a little more turn and a little more uneven bounce, this is no longer the genial-natured pitch on which five men have recorded centuries this match. These were not soft runs.So while Cook (who is said by the England camp to be in robust good health despite a couple of spells off the field, an uncharacteristic drop at slip and another scratchy display with the bat) prodded and poked as if batting on the most treacherous of surfaces, Hameed was able to drive boundaries through the covers off front and back foot, late cut anything even slightly short and, when Ravi Jadeja gave the ball just a little flight, skip down the pitch and drive him over long-off for six.His footwork was crisp and unhurried. His judgment over which balls to leave and which he could nudge off his legs was astute. He already uses the crease against the spinners better than all but one member of the England team. He could not be bullied by the seamers or befuddled by the spinners. This has been Englands most assured debut since Joe Root.But for a twist of fate, Hameed could have ended up playing for India. His father, Ismail, who looked understandably emotional in the stands as his son reached his half-century with a delicious late cut for four off the worlds No.1 rated Test bowler, tells a tale of the invitations extended their way after one of Haseebs trips back to the land of his parents to work on his game on turning tracks.Would he be interested in playing club cricket in Mumbai? Might he like to think of the Mumbai side in the Ranji Trophy as his target? Might he think of joining his heroes, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, as an Indian player?It was never going to happen. By then, Haseeb was impressing in the Lancashire age-group teams. Their Academy Director, John Stanworth, a man not prone to hyperbole, told All Out Cricket that Hameed was probably as good a player as weve had for a generation two years before he graduated to the Championship side, and made comparisons with Mike Atherton and John Crawley. He captained England U-17 and U-19 and although there have been setbacks - he was especially stung to be left out of the England team for the U-19 World Cup - he has long carried great expectations.The records followed. He became the youngest Lancashire player to make 1,000 runs in a Championship season, the first Lancashire player to make centuries in both innings of a Roses match (Tim Bresnan told him he had played a seriously special knock after the second innings century) and, despite it all, possessed a demeanour busting with a desire to learn but graced by humility. Even if Haseeb Hameed was hopeless at cricket, his parents would have reason to be immensely proud of him.His first memories are of cricket: batting with a mini bat and punching his fathers friendly lobs in the living-room of their Bolton home. Later Ismail resolved to teach his son the defensive technique of Geoff Boycott which, whatever the changes in the modern game, remains a decent foundation. He hasnt played a first team game of white ball cricket for Lancashire yet, but theres no reason why he cannot make a success of that. Hes not a blocker with a limited game; hes a class act with an array of elegant strokes and the sense to play within himself. He looks as if he was born to bat.There are still questions to answer, of course. Most of all, there was talk on the county circuit of the day he was worked over by a sharp Surrey attack containing Stuart Meaker and Mark Footitt. You can be quite sure that Australia, in particular, will explore any potential vulnerability against the short ball.The signs in this match are promising, though. While others have paid the price for taking their eye off the ball in this game and taken short balls on the head or upper body, Hameed reacted to the first ball of his Test career - a well-directed short-ball from Mohammed Shami - with a composure you suspect is going to become mightily familiar. He kept his eye on the ball and dropped his hands expertly. There havent been any obvious chinks in the armour.Other England openers have enjoyed good days, of course, only to be discarded a short while later. Sam Robson and Adam Lyth both made centuries in their second Tests and Nick Compton made two in New Zealand. But have any of them - and Hameed is Cooks 10th opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012 - looked this assured and unflappable? Have any of them looked to have such a well-rounded game?Ben Duckett made a half-century as opener in the previous match, but it always seemed a little frenetic and little as if it was a punt that was coming off. Hameed offered something approaching certainty. His journey is just beginning and there will, no doubt, be some stony terrain on the way. But if you could buy shares in people, you would put your shirt on Haseeb Hameed.Hameeds runs have helped put England in an almost impregnable position. While there will be talk of a declaration sometime in mid-afternoon - you cannot give a side containing the best limited-overs chaser in history a hint of a chance in a run-chase - there might also be a thought to keep India in the field for another full day. With only three days between Tests, those extra overs could be telling in Visakhapatnam. Besides, any psychological edge India thought they had before this game could be further eroded. It was a tactic that served England well in Brisbane in 2010.The counter argument suggests that opportunities to win may be few and far between in this series and that England, with a slim chance, should do all they can to take it. In the end, it may depend on how much the pitch has deteriorated by lunch. It is breaking up, certainly, but whether it is doing it fast enough to force a result is doubtful.Hameed need not worry about that. He just needs to bat. And, for the first time in several years, England may well not need to worry about finding a new opening partner for Cook. Its premature to reach conclusions, of course, but it really does seem as if the search is over.Cheap Shoes NZ Outlet . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Discount Balenciaga Shoes NZ . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. http://www.discountbalenciaganz.com/ . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Balenciaga Shoes NZ For Sale .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Cheap Balenciaga Shoes NZ . PETERSBURG, Fla.Twins Laviai and Lina Nielsen hope training and racing with each other can help them achieve a shared dream of representing Team GB at an Olympic Games.Laviai won the 400m at last years European Junior Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden, before claiming relay gold with twin sister Lina in the 4x400m.When you think about it, we made up half of that relay team, Lina told Sky Sports. I ran the second leg, so I had the responsibility of breaking into the first lane and carrying the lead and as I was handed the baton, I remember thinking woah, this is the European Junior final.My adrenaline was really pumping. Laviai ran the last leg and we already had a massive lead at that point. We knew we had it but when she crossed the line, we all mobbed her.The sisters, who turn 20 next month, are University of London students - Lina attends Queen Mary and Westfield, while Laviai studies at Kings College.Laviai is not the only elite level British athlete studying at Kings College - British 200m record holder and world junior sprint champion Dina Asher-Smith is also a student there.I know Dina quite well, she said. Weve been in the same teams in the past and we went to the world juniors together.But I really want to make an Olympic Games and I hope I can get a medal at some point. Im looking towards Rio at the moment. I went to the World Championships in 2015, which was a great experience for me as one of the youngest members of the team. Ever since I came back, Rio has been on my mind. Laviai and Lina (l) made up the half the relay team that won European junior gold The twins, who hail from Leytonstone, east London, are 400m specialists but Lina could emerge as a contender in the 400m hurdles after her impressive showing at the London Inter-Club Challenge last August.My ultimate dream is to make it to the Olympic Games, in eitheer the 400m the 4x400m or the 400m hurdles which I have been trying recently, she said.dddddddddddd Linas time on 400m hurdles debut was faster than Sally Gunnells I was ranked second in the UK at the end of last season but I know I need to build up my strength if I want to do the hurdles. I raced just once but I was told afterwards that my time on debut was faster than Sally Gunnells on her debut race over the 400m hurdles. She still holds the British record over 400m, which is an amazing record. Shes an inspiration.The Nielsen sisters were speaking at the premiere of SportsAids #SupportTheNext campaign film, screened at Londons BAFTA.The non-profit organisation helps young athletes to overcome the financial obstacles they face in their bid to become Britains next generation of Olympians, Paralympians and world champions. Nielsen appears in the latest campaign film for SportsAid Laviai, who features prominently in the promotional film, said: I cant even put it into words how important the support I receive from SportsAid is.I put most of it towards a warm weather training camp, which we do in April and that can really make or break your season. It gives you a chance to be in the best shape of your life and be in the right environment ahead of the seasons most important races.I had an amazing time in Portugal when I went in April last year. I would never have been able to do that without SportsAid.Also See:SportsWomenLatest Show NewsLatest NewsSportsWomen Video ' ' '