Anderson's huge praise for Hameed

James Anderson believes rising star Haseeb Hameed has an even better opener's technique than England's all-time leading Test run-scorer Alastair Cook.

Anderson was relishing the prospect of bowling to Cook until a sore hip ruled the former Test captain out of opening the batting against Lancashire at Chelmsford on Friday when the new County Championship season gets underway.

The veteran quick will have to content himself with trying to follow up his figures of 11-5-10-5 in Lancashire's 340-run victory over Cambridge University and watching Hameed again demonstrate the potential which was so evident in three Tests in India before a badly broken finger intervened last December.

Hameed had another injury scare in that warm-up match at Fenner's, and briefly feared he might have broken the same little finger again while fielding.

After scans, the 20-year-old is expected to be fit to start Lancashire's Division One campaign.

And Anderson for one does not expect it to be long before he is racking up the runs to press his claims for an immediate return alongside Cook when England next play Test cricket against South Africa at Lord's in July.

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"His ability and his talent is frightening for such a young lad, so I think he'll cope with anything," said Anderson.

"I know Cookie is the leading runscorer - but I'd say he is a better, more technically sound opening batsman than Cook."

As for next summer's Ashes series, again Anderson expects Hameed to be up to the challenge - however Australia try to discomfort him.

"I'm sure they will throw everything they've got at him - certainly with pace, short balls, aggression, verbals - I'm sure they'll go at him," he said.

"They usually pick on the young guys - but with his calm nature, I think he'll be able to handle it."

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There is one Australian opponent, however, who is already giving Anderson a few more greys.

As with Cook, whom he has dismissed in each of just three matches he has played against him over the years, he feels like he can get prolific captain Steve Smith out.

The only snag is that it rarely seems to turn out that way.

"Smith is really tricky to bowl to, because he's so unorthodox," Anderson said.

"You think you've got a chance with him all the time, but he's a really talented batsman. He's turned himself into a brilliant batsman and he's a key player for them, being captain as well. When he scores runs, they generally get big scores.

"You think you can get him out all sorts of ways. You think you can york him leg-stump, because he walks that far across. But he manages to get bat on it.

"It is going to be difficult for us, and I think now we've seen how he bats, over the next few months we can come up with some plans for him."

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2017-18 International Fixtures:

Men's Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night)

Third Test Perth TBC, December 14-18

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test)

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14

Second ODI Gabba, January 19

Third ODI SCG, January 21

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21