Alex Hales Back in the Reckoning After Scoring a Double Ton
Aug 9, 2017 at 12:23 PM
Despite a thumping 3-1 series victory for England over South Africa, the slot of Alastair Cook’s opening partner remains up for the grabs. It now seems that the slot is one jinxed position, as none of the candidates are able to seize it up with both hands. As many as 11 members have battled for that spot, all in vain.
Among those who tried securing that coveted spot, was England’s limited overs opener, Alex Hales. Hales, who made his Test debut in South Africa in early 2016, did moderately well in that series and the next one, a home series against Sri Lanka. However, a dip in form against Pakistan, and with results not going England’s way, Hales was overlooked for the tours of Bangladesh and India.
With Keaton Jennings struggling for runs and likely to face the axe against West Indies, Hales has made a timely reminder with a rapid double ton for Nottinghamshire in the county circuit. With England’s focus mainly on the Ashes, Hales could be seen as a potential opening partner of Alastair Cook.
“It’s a great place to be when you are in a purple patch,” Hales said. “I’m enjoying my cricket, in all three forms, at the moment, and I’m going to keep riding the wave and, hopefully, keep going until the end of the season. “It has been two or three months where I have felt in really good touch and in good order across my whole game, so it’s up to me now not to be complacent and keep working hard.”
Hales, however, maintained that he wasn’t thinking too much about his Test comeback.
“I’ve not really thought about it, to be honest. In the last few months, I’ve just been enjoying my cricket. “There’s been a lot of white-ball cricket. I enjoyed the clump of T20 cricket and now I’ve enjoyed this four-dayer in between. “It’s been good to switch back to this format. I’ve not let it cross my mind and I’m going to try and not let it cross my mind. All I can do is keep on scoring runs for Nottinghamshire.”