Alex Hales

Holysmit

Holysmit

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Alex Hales

During the 2005 one day series between England and Australia at Lords, I watched Paul Collingwood and Michael Hussey playing pheonmonal cricket and couldn't understand why they were not in the test side for their respective nations. In Collingwood's case he had previously played 2 tests in Sri Lanka whilst Hussey was yet to debut. I remember this because on a subsquent Cricket Tour I predicted with full confidence that both would go on to have outstanding test careers if given the opportunity. Most agreed on Collingwood but there were several doubters on Collingwood. (If I recall correctly I even stated on a thread on the GPG that Collingwood was ready for Test Cricket).

I have seen several players since then who I felt could easily make the STEP UP (I highlight that as Test Cricket is the ultimate form of Cricket) but these have normally been at times when they have been on the verge of the test side anyway. However, their is one exception and that exception is Alex Hales who does not appear to be on Englands radar for the test side. I have already mentioned on the India tour thread that he would have been my pick to open ahead of Compton who as people are aware I feel lacks the techinque or abilty to play at International standard.

Therefore I am starting this thread to say I think Alex Hales should be playing for England now and will score thousands of runs in Test Matches! Mainly so I can say I told you so when it happens.
 

Alex Hales

What's his first class record like for Notts? I'm not convinced Compton or Root are the answer to open in tests so Hales could definitely be an option.
 

Alex Hales

bit harsh to write Rooty (22!) off yet, and is this thread off the back of one good T20 performance lol

obviously he's been around the England scene a bit, playing international T20 for us, so the coaches will have had a look at him. let's see, maybe he will get involved in the Test squad soon...
 

Alex Hales

Ffs, ****ing cricket... I thought this was a new loan signing, grandson of Derek Hales perhaps.

Think I'll stop using the 'new posts' tab on mobile.
 

Alex Hales

Mr Tree said:
bit harsh to write Rooty (22!) off yet, and is this thread off the back of one good T20 performance lol

obviously he's been around the England scene a bit, playing international T20 for us, so the coaches will have had a look at him. let's see, maybe he will get involved in the Test squad soon...
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I assure you it is not off the back of today. This is based on what I have seen first hand in the flesh in domestic cricket and at the world t20 in Sri Lanka
 

Alex Hales

Also im not writing Root off in fact i think on the basis of how well he did in India. He could be a good fit for our troubled number six slot.
 

Alex Hales

Holysmit said:
I assure you it is not off the back of today. This is based on what I have seen first hand in the flesh in domestic cricket and at the world t20 in Sri Lanka
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yeah but the guys who pick the team have seen a lot more domestic cricket and world T20 "first hand in the flesh" than you have :)
 

Alex Hales

Mr Tree said:
yeah but the guys who pick the team have seen a lot more domestic cricket and world T20 "first hand in the flesh" than you have :)
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Im sure they have but that doesnt necessarily mean they always get it right or that they are easing him in as he's quite young.
 

Alex Hales

super J said:
What's his first class record like for Notts? I'm not convinced Compton or Root are the answer to open in tests so Hales could definitely be an option.
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It's not stellar - high 30's I think - but I also reckon he's a big talent, and it'd be nice to have an aggressive batsman at the top of the Test order to complement Cook and Trott...
 

Alex Hales

I disagree, i dont think he's ready yet.

And knowing your track record on Cricket, i think im right.
 

Alex Hales

Nada Bee said:
I disagree, i dont think he's ready yet.

And knowing your track record on Cricket, i think im right.
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Really?

Ignoring my crap bet on South Africa vs New Zealand, name other.

To save you on Compton I will reiterate that 1 fifty in 8 innings and a top score of 57 in that time is not acceptable and if you think it is then your deluded.
 

Alex Hales

Holysmit said:
Really?

Ignoring my crap bet on South Africa vs New Zealand, name other.

To save you on Compton I will reiterate that 1 fifty in 8 innings and a top score of 57 in that time is not acceptable and if you think it is then your deluded.
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lol

Give Compton a chance until the end of this summer please! its only fair. Besides, average 34 at the moment, you said yourself he wont average over 30. Also your love for Bresnan is a bit worrying.

That aside, test match cricket is a massive step, i see the same problems for Hales that Morgan had, a good one day player and a bit flash, but with a change of mindset and a different ball/fields, he could start well, then get found out very quickly. Just my opinion mind.
 

Alex Hales

are we saving him for the Ashes then? keep him secret from those pesky Aussies...that what I say!
 

Alex Hales

Nada Bee said:
lol

Give Compton a chance until the end of this summer please! its only fair. Besides, average 34 at the moment, you said yourself he wont average over 30. Also your love for Bresnan is a bit worrying.

That aside, test match cricket is a massive step, i see the same problems for Hales that Morgan had, a good one day player and a bit flash, but with a change of mindset and a different ball/fields, he could start well, then get found out very quickly. Just my opinion mind.
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I think Bresnan is under-rated and I stand by that. I have also said that I don't think he should be in the first 11 but given that Finn, Broad, were injured with his ability with the bat, that I felt he was the right choice. Like many others I am baffled why he is in the one day and 20/20 sides. Bresnan is a good back up to have for the Test Team but the full benefit of him will be seen in home conditions or in places like New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. For the record I am also baffled at why Dernbach is every picked.

Personally I don't think Hales will have that problem as he is more techincal where as Morgan is more creative/expressive. The question mark over him is his fielding needs to improve, but from playing I've always found that is the easiest part to improve on.

As for Compton, I just don't see it, his technique isn't strong enough in my opinion and thats what concerns me, I just think he is punching above his weight, I admire his guts to fight it out, but every innings looks like a man who isn't playing naturally and is struggling. He has it easy in New Zealand in my opinon as while Bracewell and Southee are reasonable bowlers with a bit of pace. The likes of Boult and an ageing Chris Martin are players who shouldn't really trouble players. What concerns me is he will do Ok against them and then be ripped apart by the Aussies who will target him and result in England being under pressure early on.
 

Alex Hales

Holysmit said:
I think Bresnan is under-rated and I stand by that. I have also said that I don't think he should be in the first 11 but given that Finn, Broad, were injured with his ability with the bat, that I felt he was the right choice. Like many others I am baffled why he is in the one day and 20/20 sides. Bresnan is a good back up to have for the Test Team but the full benefit of him will be seen in home conditions or in places like New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. For the record I am also baffled at why Dernbach is every picked.

Personally I don't think Hales will have that problem as he is more techincal where as Morgan is more creative/expressive. The question mark over him is his fielding needs to improve, but from playing I've always found that is the easiest part to improve on.

As for Compton, I just don't see it, his technique isn't strong enough in my opinion and thats what concerns me, I just think he is punching above his weight, I admire his guts to fight it out, but every innings looks like a man who isn't playing naturally and is struggling. He has it easy in New Zealand in my opinon as while Bracewell and Southee are reasonable bowlers with a bit of pace. The likes of Boult and an ageing Chris Martin are players who shouldn't really trouble players. What concerns me is he will do Ok against them and then be ripped apart by the Aussies who will target him and result in England being under pressure early on.
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NZ are not that bad, they got ripped apart by SA, who in turned, even ripped us apart quite recently. So to say he has it easy is a bit unfair imo.

I for one, will say it, i also have never rated Broad. His averages are doing a Bresnan and i think hes nothing more than a lucky bowler.
 

Alex Hales

Nada Bee said:
NZ are not that bad, they got ripped apart by SA, who in turned, even ripped us apart quite recently. So to say he has it easy is a bit unfair imo.

I for one, will say it, i also have never rated Broad. His averages are doing a Bresnan and i think hes nothing more than a lucky bowler.
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Broad pisses me off as sometimes he is unplayable, but that is very infrequent. He bowls too short too often and has long spells where he does nothing for months. Personally I think he should be dropped to give him a kick up the backside. I'd agree that he is vastly overrated and don't get me started on his captaincy!
 

Alex Hales

Nada Bee said:
NZ are not that bad, they got ripped apart by SA, who in turned, even ripped us apart quite recently. So to say he has it easy is a bit unfair imo.

I for one, will say it, i also have never rated Broad. His averages are doing a Bresnan and i think hes nothing more than a lucky bowler.
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Yes but in terms of opening attacks they are nowhere near as good as SA (well who is), Australia, Pakistan or a much improved West Indies.

Compton is yet to face a strong attack and until he does he has had it easy.
 

Alex Hales

:sorted: Well we agree on something at last. lol

You're mum did do a good beans on toast though :yes:
 

Alex Hales

absenteebee said:
Do you know the Hales family? Is his nephew a footballer and his grandson a, er, BA trolly-dolly? :(
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No, but it's more interesting than talking about cricket.
My first football match featured Derek Hales getting sent off at the Valley. Reason #947 why the 1970s is the greatest decade.
 

Alex Hales

scruff puppy pup said:
No, but it's more interesting than talking about cricket.
My first football match featured Derek Hales getting sent off at the Valley. Reason #947 why the 1970s is the greatest decade.
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Was that for fighting his team mate, Cockney Comic, Mick Flanagan?
 

Alex Hales

Dropped from Notts four day side, Holysmit's call for test selection looks a little bit iffy.........
 

Alex Hales

Scored 6 sixes tonight albeit 3 off one over then 3 off the next.
 
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