Monday 2 May 2016 19:54, UK
Michael Lumb believes Alex Hales will be out to silence his critics when Nottinghamshire take on Yorkshire in the Specsavers County Championship this weekend, live on Sky Sports.
Hales, who has impressed at international level in limited-overs cricket, was given his chance in the Test arena for England's tour of South Africa over the winter and while Alastair Cook's side emerged victorious, the Nottinghamshire batsman struggled.
However, Lumb, a team-mate of Hales at Trent Bridge, is confident the 27-year-old has what it takes to succeed at Test level and is backing him to provide a reminder of his ability in the build up to England's first Test of the summer against Sri Lanka next month.
"He's been great, he came to Old Trafford [during Nottinghamshire's Championship game with Lancashire] for a couple of days and had a couple of hits so I know he's looking forward to getting going and silencing some of the critics he had over the winter," Lumb told Sky Sports.
"He is raring to go and wanting to show the critics and other people that he's world class and he'll be working hard to keep his place in the Test team and play the first game. It's great to have him back."
Hales won't be the only England player in the Nottinghamshire ranks for the game with Yorkshire. Stuart Broad is also set to play for Mick Newell's side and Lumb feels his presence is a significant boost.
"It's huge, he's the No 1 Test bowler in the world and having him in the side is awesome," he said. "He helps out the younger bowlers and he's a leading influence in the field so to have him in these opening games, hopefully he can find some form and help us to win some games as well."
One of those younger bowlers sure to benefit from playing alongside the England seamer is Jake Ball. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to the season and Lumb has high hopes for the England Lions quick.
"Jake's had a great start," said the 36-year-old. "He had a good winter with the Lions, I think he impressed with them, and he's come back and got out of the blocks really well.
"He's put on a bit of pace, he's bowling quick and he's a good lad. There's big things for him in the future, he's started really well and hopefully that'll continue for a while."
However, while Ball has begun the season in fine style, it has been an indifferent beginning to the 2016 campaign for Notts as a whole - victory over Surrey was followed by defeat at newly-promoted Lancashire. Lumb though, is not overly concerned.
"Obviously, we got out of the blocks really well, winning the first game, we played some good cricket and then unfortunately we went to Lancashire and got outplayed there," he admitted.
"It just shows the rollercoaster of Championship cricket, we were on a bit of a high and then you go and get beaten. There's stuff that we can still work on, which is good.
"Everyone says the same things early on: 'We want to win the Championship' and this and that but I think this year we're more about just doing our little process, getting our basics right and if we look after those things hopefully results will come for us in the end.
"Division One is very strong, there are some strong sides knocking around and so, for us, it's just taking each game as it comes and as long as we stick to our basics and our game plans then hopefully that'll take care of itself."
The forthcoming game with Yorkshire, perhaps more than most, shows the strength of the top flight this season with both teams boasting numerous players who have performed well consistently in recent years and that's before you even get to England regulars such as Broad, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, all of whom are expected to play.
"You look at the two sides on paper and it's almost like a Test match so the boys are up for it," said Lumb, who spent the early part of his career at Headingley.
"All the pressure's on Yorkshire and we're just trying to knock them off. It's exciting to be part of and that's what you want in these County Championship games, strong games, strong competitions. We're up for it, they'll be favourites, we'll just go out and enjoy the game and try and get one over on them."
You can watch Nottinghamshire take on Yorkshire in County Championship Division One live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Coverage starts at 10.30am on Sunday May 1.
