Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales has reflected on two years of hard work after being called-up to an England Test squad for the first time.

The 26-year-old was named in the touring party to play all three formats of the game against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates following back-to-back prolific seasons at the top of the Nottinghamshire order in the red ball game.

Hales made changes to his technique on the back of a 2013 season during which he averaged 13.94, and he has since bounced back to score over 1,900 runs in 23 matches, averaging 50.

“I’ve been really happy with how my four day game has gone in the last couple of years,” he said.

“After working really hard on some technical things I’m pleased to have scored some runs and been given the opportunity.

“I knew it was up to me to have a successful campaign this year and to build on what I did in 2014.

“It was crucial after 2013 that I worked hard on my game, focused on my technique and started scoring consistently for Notts in four day cricket.

“The last two years have been hard work for me and I’m pleased to have found some success, but it’s only a start and something to build on moving forward.”

Hales admits his inaugural foray into the five-day format will be very much a learning experience, but he is determined not to compromise the attacking instincts that have taken him to the brink of international cricket’s pinnacle.

“There are going to be plenty of challenges,” he said. “It will be my first ever Test tour, a new environment for me and it’s going to be a great experience playing and training in subcontinental conditions.

“It’s going to be a brilliant learning curve and hopefully it can develop me in different conditions.

“I’ve got to stay true to myself, keep trusting my technique and keep believing that the changes I’ve made are going to be successful in the international arena.

“It’s up to me to tinker with a couple of things, keep developing my game but to stay true to my basics.”

Albeit new to the Test arena, Hales has been very much a part of England’s summer of cricket having featured in all 12 white ball internationals, including two half-centuries.

Although the Test series against New Zealand was drawn and the Royal London One-Day Internationals against Australia ended with a 3-2 victory for the tourists, Hales believes the limited-overs victory over the Kiwis, together with Ashes glory, have made it a season to remember for the home nation. 

“It has been an incredible summer; starting with the Tests against New Zealand which was an exciting series, then to turn over the World Cup finalists in the five one-day games was incredible as well,” he said.

“The stuff we’ve achieved as an England team in twenty20, one-dayers and Test cricket is brilliant and to regain the Ashes like that topped it all off.”

Although his ticket to the UAE is secure, Hales still has domestic matters to attend to with two remaining LV= County Championship matches for his county; matches - against Warwickshire and Hampshire - that he is treating with the greatest of importance.

“There are still two very important games for Notts,” he said.

“We’re still looking to push for second place which would be a fair achievement on where we are as a squad in four day cricket.”

 

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