NCCC News : Hales Looking To Kick On From Good Starts

After scores of 20, 54, and 23, England and Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales is hoping to kick on and make a big score in front of his home crowd when the Royal London One-Day International series comes to Trent Bridge tomorrow.

With record-breaking batting performances providing the main talking points from the first three matches, Hales will be looking to make a major contribution to help England level the series.

“I have felt in good form so far, it’s just about converting that in to a big score,” the 26-year-old said.

“It is a dream to play any game for England but to do it at your home ground will be a very special day for me.

“We’re lucky to have a good one-day wicket here, usually full of runs and with a quick outfield so it is up to us either put a big score on the board or chase one down.

“Any international game at Trent Bridge is a special atmosphere. We have been blessed with good crowds and weather for international games during the last few years.

“Tomorrow looks likes it is going to be the same.”

With Hales and James Taylor in the squad, England have the inside track on what it takes to win at Trent Bridge and they are keen to share that information with their teammates.

“It’s handy having guys that play for Notts in the England setup as we’re both familiar with the conditions and can pass on knowledge to anyone who needs to know,” he said.

“I have loved being part of this England setup so far. I have spent quite a bit of my career in the same squads as the faces that are in the team now and I know what their talent and attitude can bring to the changing room."

Hales, meanwhile, has been following the progress of his Nottinghamshire county colleagues in their LV= County Championship fixture at Taunton - and he heaped praise on teenage twirler Matthew Carter for his seven wicket haul on debut, along with Brendan Taylor for setting up the game with a first innings hundred.

“What an unbelievable effort from young Matt Carter to get seven-for on debut against a strong batting lineup.

“He got some good players out, such as James Hildreth that play spin well, so it’s a great honour for him and hopefully there’s more to come from him.

“And Brendan was in outstanding from what I hear, so all credit to him. He's got four hundreds now since joining Notts and has been a great addition to our squad, both as a bloke and as a player.”

England squad to face New Zealand (from): Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan (captain), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, David Willey, Mark Wood.

New Zealand squad to face England (from): Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Brendon McCullum (captain), Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler, Kane Williamson.

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