The future of Alex Hales is uncertain after Nottinghamshire received approaches about signing the England batsman, who is out of contract at the end of the season. His county team-mate Jake Ball, meanwhile, looks increasingly likely to make his Test debut in the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s next month.
Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket – and England selector – confirmed that the county have had “a couple of expressions of interest” for Hales, who is a first-choice opener for England across all three formats.
The Guardian understands that Essex have made an approach although Middlesex have not. Hales’s family home is near London. Any move may depend on whether the right-hander is awarded a central contract by England this year.
“Alex knows that there is no intention from our end for him to leave,” Newell said after Nottinghamshire’s Championship match against Warwickshire ended in a damp draw. “But we do not want to clog his mind up with discussion about a Notts contract when he’s trying to earn himself an England contract.”
Newell was quick to praise Hales, who impressed in the Test series against Sri Lanka, with three scores between 83 and 94, after taking a self-imposed break following the World T20 in March. “Alex has matured,” Newell said.
“He has come to terms with practice. I don’t think anyone doubted he had the temperament for international cricket because of how well he has done in ODI and T20 cricket. I think his practice routines and general approach to the game has improved by being around guys like Cook and Root, and even Bell in the UAE. He has learnt a lot about how to prepare. It was a brave decision to not play at the start of the year and I admire that. We discussed it a lot.”
Newell said that Nottinghamshire – with James Taylor having retired in April – are in the market for a new top-order batsman. Nottinghamshire, like Essex and Hampshire, have made contact with Warwickshire about signing Varun Chopra, who is almost certain to leave, while Newell said they have made inquiries “for the top-order batsmen who are available”. Durham’s Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman are among those out of contract at the end of the season.
Ball, who was in the squad for all three Tests against Sri Lanka, bowled beautifully against Warwickshire on Monday, taking four for 76, and has 31 wickets at a tick under 24 this season. With Jimmy Anderson’s shoulder injury looking likely to rule him out of the first Test and Newell confirming that Ben Stokes would only be selected if he was fit to bat and bowl, Ball looks in line for a debut, and could be rested for Nottinghamshire’s Championship match against Lancashire at Trent Bridge from Sunday. Stuart Broad and Imran Tahir will be available for the game.
Newell said: “There are question marks about Jimmy, so Jake has to have a fine chance of being in the 12 and possibly making a debut. The two or three weeks he was in and out of the Test squad I think he found quite difficult, not knowing if he was going to play and then the travelling.
“I was concerned before this game that he wasn’t bowling like he was in April and May but this game he has surpassed himself. His pace was up and I think he needs that for Test level. He is a strong boy and has done a lot of gym work. He has a beautiful rhythm and a classic, simple bowling action, which means when he clicks – as he did here – he gets it down at a really good pace.”
