Hales can make Test grade, claims Newell

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE batsman Alex Hales has been backed to win an England Test recall – if he stays in form.

Hales has been out of the Test reckoning for a year but has hit a rich vein of form.

Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket and England selector Mick Newell said: “He’s making himself selectable. He’s playing well in all formats and the thing everyone knows about Alex is that he has the temperament for international cricket.

“He’s proven that in 50 and 20-over cricket, as well as playing Test cricket.We’ll monitor his progress closely over the remaining weeks of the season.

“He hasn’t specifically said to us he doesn’t want to be considered as an opener, but by his actions at Notts you can’t make a case for him to open the batting for England.

“He wants to bat four or five for Notts to make a case to play there for England. He’s doing that very well.

“He’s shown his temperament in the big games and he’s developing his game to make more major contributions, rather than cameo innings at the top of the order.

“He’s done that in ODIs. Just look at the amount of hundreds he’s made!

“We know he has the temperament and he played a magnificent innings at Derby. We’ll monitor him but we’ve got to be mindful of the good players we have competing for those spots.”