Strong ODI series should lead to crack at Test berth, says Beefy
Thursday 3 September 2015 11:43, UK
Alex Hales should be given a chance to prove himself as a Test match opener, says Sir Ian Botham.
Hales has been a regular feature in England's ODI and T20 squads for some time but is yet to breakthrough at Test level.
But with question marks hanging over Adam Lyth's future as Alastair Cook's opening partner after a disappointing Ashes series, Botham thinks Hales could step into the breach during forthcoming series against Pakistan.
The Sky Sports commentator and pundit said: "Hales is next in line so let's give him a chance to prove himself, why not?
"You can't just play him in two matches and change the side if he's not done well; you need to stick with him for the series."
Moeen Ali, who batted at eight during England successful Ashes campaign, has also been linked to the opener's slot but Botham insists Hales is his preferred candidate.
"England have got themselves into a mess for the opener's position. Adam Lyth's form in the Ashes was poor but a lot of that was down to the fact he didn't get to play in the Caribbean last winter when he could have gained some valuable experience.
"Hales has been talked about for some time, he's a very positive player, so it's may be time for him to have a go."
Positive
The 26-year-old batsman gets a chance to impress the selectors in the first of five Royal London one-day matches against Australia, the current world champions, starting at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday.
Hales averaged just 33 in England's last ODI series win against New Zealand earlier this year but since then has enjoyed some great form for his county.
Meanwhile, Botham is tipping England to follow up their Ashes and T20 victory over Australia by securing a ODI series win.
Botham added: "I think England have finally realised the importance of one-day cricket. They know they probably should have won the World Cup by now and at last are doing something about it by getting the right players in playing the right brand of cricket, positive, exciting cricket.
"They were dire at this form of the game before and during the last World Cup but have played pretty well since, to be honest."
The former England skipper also feels the series will enable coach Trevor Bayliss and his assistant Paul Farbrace to assess their progress as a one-day team.
"All matches against Australia are important for England but this is another benchmark for just how far they have come as a group of players," he added.
"Australia are world champions, they are hurting after the Ashes and will be fired up and hard to beat, but I think England will edge it 3-2."
Sky Bet have priced up a 3-2 win at 3/1, while England to win the series by any scoreline is 7/4.
Botham, who correctly tipped up England's 3-2 Ashes success at 22/1, is backing Ben Stokes to shine with both bat and ball in the series and the 1st ODI at Southampton.
He added: "I like Stokes. I think he'll get a few to go through the top at Southampton and is also due some runs."
For Australia, the Sky Bet tipster can't see beyond skipper Steve Smith with the bat at odds of 9/4 to score most runs in the series and is also tipping Pat Cummins, who impressed with the ball in Monday's T-20 clash, at 3/1 for most Australian wickets.
"You've got to go with Smith for Australia he's the only one who has shown any form with the bat," he added.
Watch England v Australia in the first ODI live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm on Thursday.
