Mick Newell believes the experience of Stuart Broad will be beneficial to England as the five match One-Day International series gets underway on Wednesday.
The world’s number one Test bowler hasn’t featured for England in white ball cricket since the ICC Cricket World Cup but has now been recalled following injuries to Steven Finn and Liam Plunkett.
“When you’ve lost Finn and Plunkett you’ve lost pace and experience,” said the Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket & England Selector.
“Stuart wants to play and we’d like him to continue to play at certain times when it’s crucial for England.
“At the moment it’s crucial that we have his experience and his pace back in that team.”
While Broad is returning to the 50-over team following an absence of 15 matches, James Taylor is set to feature for an tenth ODI in succession.
Taylor scored 116 in the solitary warm-up match against South Africa A batting at number three. However, Newell expects the 26-year-old to shuffle a couple of places down the order when the series gets underway at 11.30am on Wednesday UK time.
“He’s had a terrific little run of one-day cricket against Australia and Pakistan,” said Newell.
“He’s done exactly what he does for Notts; he’s finished games off, made not out scores and been the man that holds his bat up at the end and wins the game.
“If he continues to do that at five – which, you’d think, if Root plays at three and Morgan at four is where he’ll bat – I believe he’s got the skills to do that.”
The Nottinghamshire contingent will be completed by Alex Hales, who is set to return to the format in which he bagged a maiden century during the pre-Christmas series against Pakistan in the UAE.
Hales has since averaged 17 with one half-century during the Test series against South Africa, and Newell sees the ODI series as an opportunity for the big-hitting opener to re-establish his touch ahead of fighting for his Test place during the opening exchanges of the county season.
“He needs to find a little bit of form,” said Newell. “Him and Jason Roy is an exciting opening partnership that England have backed for a period of time and we want to continue to back that.
“Until England find an opener to replace Strauss this debate will go on,” Newell continued on Hales’ future in the longer format.
“Test cricket means a different level of scrutiny and a higher quality of bowling.
“You’ve got to allow him to play his normal game and hope the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages over time.
“Everybody knows Alex is going to score runs. It’s inevitable.”
England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.