Enterprise & Endeavour

Bolton’s impressive renaissance is being matched in a wide range of fields, as Martin Pilkington discovers.

- Martin Pilkington

THE energy that Bolton is showing in its revitalised centre is matched in the sporting field, from individuals taking on personal challenges to organisations making a difference to their community.

Olympic cycling hero Jason Kenny, from Farnworth, made headlines around the world but hottest news at the moment is local cricketer Haseeb Hameed who has shown considerable steel during his meteoric rise. In December he became England’s youngest ever test match opening batsman at 19, receiving rave reviews from the sport’s elder statement.

Andy Compton coached him at Bolton School, though he freely credits Haseeb’s father too. ‘I have never seen anything near to Haseeb’s technique, it’s wonderful. His dad Ismail has put in endless hours coaching him, he must have one arm longer than the other from all the tens of thousands of throw downs!’

Haseeb opened for Bolton School’s 1st XI in year nine – that’s the third year - and his later record included three consecutive hundreds against Wolverhampton Grammar, Merchant Taylors’ Crosby and Lancaster Grammar. In his final year at school he played for Lancashire Seconds, then made his first class debut at 18. ‘At every stage at which he has been challenged he has met that challenge and looked extremely comfortable at the new level. Nothing seems to faze him at all,’ says Andy.

Haseeb has been nicknamed ‘Baby Boycott’, but Lancastrians can hope the White Rose legend will eventually be referred to as an older version of Haseeb Hameed.