Alex Hales

[DT]

Proving in this tour match he ain't no test opener - starting to think he won't play much ODI cricket soon either due to lack of runs for a while now in that.  t20's fine but that's it for now...

[Andy]

Proving in this tour match he ain't no test opener - starting to think he won't play much ODI cricket soon either due to lack of runs for a while now in that.  t20's fine but that's it for now...

Well, one tour match isn't much evidence to go on. Could say the same about Cook. Time will see whether he's able to adapt to opening or will become another Shane Watson. I hope he does adapt, because he's the type of attacking foil to Cook's one paced nudging. The alternatives to Hale really are mostly nudgers themselves and they are not really helpful to Chef, because he starts chasing the ball in order to compensate for the lack of runs.

[bwildered]

Think that was the reason Compton was replaced when last in the test side, although scored some runs the innings never gained enough motion and put scoreboard pressure on the later order to enforce results , and the Captain was not to be replaced.

[DT]

True Andy, it is only one match but I don't think he's ever been technically good enough nor done enough in county cricket to warrant selection.  If they want someone to score quickly they'd be better with Jason Roy.  Hales ODI place must be under threat also, he's done diddly squat there for a year now...

[JasonP]

True Andy, it is only one match but I don't think he's ever been technically good enough nor done enough in county cricket to warrant selection.  If they want someone to score quickly they'd be better with Jason Roy.  Hales ODI place must be under threat also, he's done diddly squat there for a year now...

He got an ODI hundred 3 matches ago on 13th November.  He's not good enough for Test cricket though, agreed.  He's there by default.  He had an ok season for Notts and no other openers did anything last year.   Roy bats at 5 or 6 for Surrey in Div 2 so he was never going to get picked. 

[DT]

True Andy, it is only one match but I don't think he's ever been technically good enough nor done enough in county cricket to warrant selection.  If they want someone to score quickly they'd be better with Jason Roy.  Hales ODI place must be under threat also, he's done diddly squat there for a year now...

He got an ODI hundred 3 matches ago on 13th November.  He's not good enough for Test cricket though, agreed.  He's there by default.  He had an ok season for Notts and no other openers did anything last year.   Roy bats at 5 or 6 for Surrey in Div 2 so he was never going to get picked.

Except that ton and one or two other knocks his ODI form has been poor.

Yes of course Roy doesn't open in the longer form - but as you say Hales is in the test side by default and I think Roy would have been a better bet!

[Slogger]

I reckon Nick Browne would be a better bet....

[Oldhasbeen]

True Andy, it is only one match but I don't think he's ever been technically good enough nor done enough in county cricket to warrant selection.  If they want someone to score quickly they'd be better with Jason Roy.  Hales ODI place must be under threat also, he's done diddly squat there for a year now...

Watching the ODIs earlier this year, I had similar thoughts - Hales is very much a front-foot thumper, Roy's footwork looks better and he seems happy both front- and back-foot.

Having said that, Roy usually bats well down the order for Surrey in the first class game so his technique might well get found out if thrown in the deep end in test cricket.
If Surrey gave  him a long run opening, we'd have a better idea.

[DT]

I reckon Nick Browne would be a better bet....

Keeps his progress up and could very well go on tour next winter, we all know England have a different opening pairing every series and it won't change anytime soon...

[DT]

True Andy, it is only one match but I don't think he's ever been technically good enough nor done enough in county cricket to warrant selection.  If they want someone to score quickly they'd be better with Jason Roy.  Hales ODI place must be under threat also, he's done diddly squat there for a year now...

Watching the ODIs earlier this year, I had similar thoughts - Hales is very much a front-foot thumper, Roy's footwork looks better and he seems happy both front- and back-foot.

Having said that, Roy usually bats well down the order for Surrey in the first class game so his technique might well get found out if thrown in the deep end in test cricket.
If Surrey gave  him a long run opening, we'd have a better idea.

Agree with all that.  I actually really like Hales BUT his progress has stalled dramatically - he's gone no where in the county championship yet is suddenly opening in a test match...

[bwildered]

Marcus Trescthick was regarded has a OD dasher before stepping into the test arena , which did not do him any harm.

[Blocky]

Marcus Trescthick was regarded has a OD dasher before stepping into the test arena , which did not do him any harm.

Well...actually, it did.  It sent him into a very bad depressive state mentally.  Hopefully he's over that.

[Andy]

Marcus Trescthick was regarded has a OD dasher before stepping into the test arena , which did not do him any harm.

Well...actually, it did.  It sent him into a very bad depressive state mentally.  Hopefully he's over that.

Nothing to do with becoming a Test Opener.

[Valentines Park]

It sent him into a very bad depressive state mentally.  Hopefully he's over that.

I was in a very bad depressive state when he flogged our bowling at Colchester.

Time may heal but the mental scars remain. 

[DT]

Marcus Trescthick was regarded has a OD dasher before stepping into the test arena , which did not do him any harm.

True but Tresco had a bit more to his game and of course made an instant hit in the test arena.  Hope Hales does the same, we need him too!!!