Australia legend Shane Warne believes Alex Hales is the man to replace Jonathan Trott at the top of the England batting-order.
New Zealand and Australia are touring the UK during the forthcoming international summer and Warne believes opting for the Nottinghamshire man to partner Alistair Cook would be a positive selection.
“For me, Alex Hales is the man,” said Warne. “Get him in across all forms of the game.
“If England want to look at a blueprint – Australia are probably the best side in the world again now and what it is they’re doing well, they picked David Warner to be aggressive at the top of the order.
“England have the perfect player to do that in Hales. He can come into Test match cricket and have the same impact. I’d get Hales in there with Alastair Cook – that’s a good combination. It’s an aggressive approach to have him in.”
Yorkshire opener Adam Lyth toured the West Indies for the recent test series but missed out on selection in all three matches.
And with Hales having begun the season by amassing 639 first-class runs at an average of 79.87, Warne believes the Nottinghamshire right-hander has done enough to jump the queue.
“I’m sure there are a few other guys vying for it – Adam Lyth, for example. But for me, Hales is the guy to open.
“New Zealand and Australia would be worried about someone like him at the top of the order, someone who could take advantage and go after them.
“You don’t just look at statistics. That’s why you need good cricket-people looking and judging the talent. Look at the way international teams are playing and who understand the game.
“It’s not always about someone who scores 500 runs at 50.00, because they might have been easy runs. You need the guy that when he made that hundred, he changed the game.”
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.