From a three-year-old hitting ping pong balls with a mini cricket bat in his living room, to an England Lions tour of South Africa. Hamza Shaikh’s story is one of unwavering dedication to the sport he loves.
The hallway wicket in Hamza Shaikh’s family home measures around 12 yards from crease to living room door.
Shaikh has faced 1000s of deliveries here.
He awaits the latest – hurled down the hallway, through the porch, by his dad Ilyas – in the converted garage that’s been his indoor practice area for 12 years.
The hard plastic ball skids up at pace off a freshly watered lino mat and is expertly flicked off his legs into a mattress that acts as soundproofing for the neighbours.
A homemade wooden cover protects the wall-mounted TV in case Ilyas pitches one in short.
It’s an ingenious, creative space. And one that helped Hamza hone his skills since childhood and to achieve his ambition of becoming a professional cricketer with Warwickshire.
“There’s probably not a room in the house where I’ve not hit a few balls,” laughed the 18-year-old from his home in Aston, Birmingham.
“I started playing aged three in the living room. My dad would bounce ping pong balls off a coffee table at me to improve my reaction times. We’d move the sofas and the computer to the side. At that age it was a good space to practice. Looking back, the video clips make me laugh.
“Then when I outgrew the lounge my dad created the converted garage space for me to practice. He was always here to help me out with training. I’ve no idea how many balls I’ve faced here. But I’d practice every day after school, after the mosque.
“But I’ll still practice here now. If Edgbaston isn’t free and the weather is bad, I can still hit balls here, get a feel, get the rhythm right. It helps me a lot. Maybe not the full follow through these days…I don’t want to take a chunk out of the wall!
“When I look up to the greatest players of all time, I try to picture myself alongside them. That’s what drives me. That’s what’s behind all the hours of practice growing up.”
A cracked glass door panel through to the lounge is evidence of one laser straight drive despatched by Shaikh.
A small price to pay as he pursues his dream of playing for England.
Shaikh flies out to South Africa later this month for an England Lions training camp. He and Dan Mousley feature in a 19-strong party considered the country’s “highest potential players” for the trip between 20 November and 14 December.
It’s the culmination of a year that’s seen Shaikh captain England under 19s, Lions selection in which he fell just nine runs short of a century on his First Class debut against the Sri Lankan tourists, and a first taste of First Class cricket for Warwickshire.
“2024 has been a good year,” said Shaikh as he approaches the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) a short walk from home that’s also a regular practice spot.
“Getting opportunities in red ball with Warwickshire and to finish it off being picked for the Lions tour is unbelievable. But I don’t want to think too far ahead. At the start of the season, I’ll get my head down, try and score as many runs as I can.
“I want to put my hand up for first team opportunities.
“I think my game is in a decent space but I’m always looking to improve. The Lions camp will be great: almost four weeks with some of the best coaches in the country.”
Shaikh has made four First Class appearances – including his 91 for England Lions – and 17 in List A for the Bears.
That 91 came off 204 balls. But he’s looked equally comfortable on the scent of boundaries in One Day Cup run chases. So what does he see his role in the side?
“Two years ago I was a fixed opener. I’d always open the batting,” added the Sandwell College graduate,
“But getting a variety of roles now is helping me expand my game and be ready for a spot that I might not have expected. Whatever the team needs, if it’s to bat at five or open the batting, I’m practicing all parts of my game and want to have the skills to be ready.
“You need the versatility, the game, to bat different positions. I’ve scored quickly in the One Day Cup, but then 90-odd off 200 balls against Sri Lanka I was more patient. I need to be comfortable going in at any number. And to perform in that role.”
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan is one commentator who’s noted Shaikh’s potential and earmarked him as a player to look out for in coming years.
But Shaikh’s feet are firmly on the ground. The concrete ground of the MUGA where he still regularly brings a mat down to practice alongside children playing football or basketball.
He added: “It’s always nice to have people of high standing in the game speak well of you. It’s a confidence boost. But potential is one thing, you need to prove that through performances. Performances are what talks and gets you places.
“It’s there for me as a motivator, though, to keep getting better and scoring runs.
“What we’ve seen with Bethell and Mousley, it shows how England are looking to the future, players are getting opportunities early in their careers.
“That’s the ultimate aim. But I’m not looking too far ahead. Step by step. But it’s an exciting time for sure.”
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