Hales: I feel I'm in the best form of my career

Cricket365
August 19, 2014

Alex Hales' star is rising fast and Ravi Bopara's unexpectedly perhaps on the wane after their respective inclusion and omission from England's 15-man Royal London Series squad.

The uncapped Alex Hales is determined to capitalise on a fine stretch of form at domestic level, when England's five-ODI series against India gets underway this week.

Hales has been included in a strong 15-man squad, which is without the injured Stuart Broad and dropped Ravi Bopara. Fast bowler Steven Finn, meanwhile, has been recalled – and the young Harry Gurney retained.

The hard-hitting Hales struck a quickfire century for the England Lions against New Zealand A earlier this month and, in the last week, welcomed fine tons at List A and first-class level in county cricket.

"Following the tons for the Lions last week, at Lord's on Thursday and now in Northampton, I feel I'm in the best form of my career – and I hope it continues," enthused Hales.

"I have worked really hard this year on my cricket and the longer form of the game in 50 overs. I am pleased I have managed to hit form at the right time and hopefully I can carry that on into the ODI series."

The 25-year-old right-hander has been a regular member of the Tweny20 International unit since August 2011's debut against India in Manchester – and orchestrated a record-breaking 116 not out versus Sri Lanka in Chittagong earlier this year.

"I have played 30-odd T20 Internationals now, so I know what international cricket is about – all the pressure that comes with it and hopefully I can thrive under it," he added.

The English and Indians will meet for five ODIs – in Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham and Leeds – between 25 August and 5 September. A one-off Twenty20 International at Edgbaston will follow.