Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales has signed a new three-year contract.

Hales, 20, made his mark in the first team this season having been named Second XI player of the year in 2007 and 2008.

He averaged 35.8 in 10 LV= County Championship innings in 2009 and was top run-scorer in Notts Outlaws’ NatWest Pro40 campaign having knocked an outstanding unbeaten 150 against Worcestershirre in August.

“We are making a concerted effort to introduce younger players into the team and Alex has shown that he is becoming a very capable opening batsman in first class cricket,” said Nottinghamshire Director of cricket Mick Newell.

“I want to put my faith in him at the start of next season because he has demonstrated that he is beginning to realise his potential. His 150 in the NatWest Pro40 was the outstanding innings of the season and hopefully he can build on the start that he has made.”

Hales will undergo shoulder surgery in the off-season but is expected to make a complete recovery in time for the new campaign.