Alex Hales, the Nottinghamshire batsman, has been added to the England squad for the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street as cover for captain Alastair Cook.
Hales, who played in Tuesday’s T20 at the Oval, was left out of the initial ODI squad but could now make an appearance if Cook is not deemed fit to play. He is suffering with tightness in his right groin.
There had been calls for Hales to be selected in the original ODI squad to provide a greater tempo at the top of the order but England chose to return to Cook and Ian Bell as their opening pair. Last week Hales, who went out on loan to Worcestershire earlier this season to try and get some first-team Championship cricket, spoke about the frustration of being pigeon-holed as a T20 player.
Hales has offered England with much-needed power in T20 cricket and he made a century in a memorable win over Sri Lanka in the recent World T20; he also top-scored for England in their T20 defeat to Sri Lanka last Tuesday. But so far, Hales has yet to be utilised in 50-over cricket.
Michael Carberry is also in the squad, presumably as a spare opener, but Hales’ call-up suggests Carberry will not be first reserve should England need another partner for Bell.
Should Cook not be fit, Eoin Morgan – who took charge of the T20 side in the absence of Stuart Broad – will lead England at Chester-le-Street.
If Hales is not required on Sunday morning he may be released back to Nottinghamshire who have a Championship match starting against Durham.
England also announced that if Tim Bresnan, who did not play the T20 or first ODI, is not selected in the side he will be made available for Yorkshire’s Roses match against Lancashire at Headingley.
