England turn to Master Blaster STOKES BACK FOR SHOWDOWN

win their first series of the summer against Virat Kohli’s men.

Who he replaces remains open to question, especially after England set up the winner-takes-all clash in Bristol with an impressive five-wicket win in Cardiff on Friday night.

Alex Hales, who was with Stokes during the Bristol altercation but not charged with any offence, would have been the most likely casualty before he struck an unbeaten 58 from 41 balls to lead home England’s pursuit of 149 in south Wales.

That was Hales’ first international T20 halfcentury in over four years.

And the Nottinghamshire batsman admits his place remains in the balance with Stokes set to return.

Hales said: “I’m doing all I can to score runs and keep putting pressure on the guys who know they’re playing.

“If it’s me that’s left out, you look at the guys who are playing ahead of me and what can you do?

“It’s up to me to keep training hard, being positive and have a decent mindset. It’s funny how quickly things can change.”

Hales has played all but three of his 55 T20s for England as an opener – but the recent promotion of Jos Buttler to the top of the order has meant a demotion to either No.3 or No.4, the position where he starred on Friday.

“The batting line-up is that strong, just to be part of it, anywhere in the order, is a great effort,” said Hales.

“Wherever I find myself I have to adapt and keep learning, and that was a different role in Cardiff.

“I have to keep learning going forward if that’s the role I’ll play.”

Whatever the make-up of their XI today, Eoin Morgan’s troops have a chance to lay down a marker against Kohli’s men ahead of the three-match ODI series that starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

“It’s good for us to have that momentum heading into a must-win game on Sunday,” added Hales.

“It’s two very strong teams, both at the top of their game, so Bristol should be a cracker.”