The ODI series against Pakistan is a chance for Hales to prove he can open England's batting in the Tests in South Africa, says the Analyst
The two most effective types of one-day bowling will be prominently on show during the ODI series between Pakistan and England.
Left-arm seam and right-arm leg spin have historically proved to be the best bowling options in the shorter form of the game.
Both sides have two left-arm quicks and a decent leggie.
Wicket-taking, to disrupt the inexorable flow of runs on the flattest of flat pitches, will be vital.
Bowlers who come from a different angle – like left-arm over – or who spin it both ways have the best chance of doing that.
Which means that, barring injuries, England may well play both their young left-arm guns: David Willey and the gangly Reece Topley – both sons of former pros – as well as Adil Rashid.
Willey and Topley are handy with the new ball but will come into their own later in the innings alternating over and round the wicket and varying their pace.
Topley, at 6ft 8in, has a particularly good back-of-the-hand slower ball.
Death bowlers now have the added advantage of a fifth boundary fielder in the last 10 overs. Totals on these batting paradises, however, are still likely to be well in excess of 300.
Pakistan can counter with their two left-arm quicks: the rapid Wahab Riaz and the giant Mohammed Irfan (7ft 1in).
Rahat Ali, too, and of course the burgeoning talents of the leg spinner Yasir Shah.
Surprisingly in this form of the game, Rashid might be more effective than Shah as, although he is less consistent, he has better variety.
Several Pakistan batsmen couldn’t pick Rashid’s googly in the tests.
Both sides are packed with aggressive, big-hitting batsmen, although England’s unit looks the stronger.
Alex Hales and Jason Roy make a muscular opening pair, Joe Root is dynamic at three, while Eoin Morgan – whose last ODI innings was abruptly terminated by a blow to the head from a Mitchell Starc bouncer at Old Trafford – will not have to worry about the fast short ball on these pitches.
And then there is the busyness of James Taylor and the dynamism of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler.
Willey, meanwhile, has a T20 hundred to his name (from 40 balls) and will come in at nine.
It all stems from the top, though, and this is an important two weeks for Hales.
Thrust in to open England’s one-day innings after their dismal World Cup performances, he had a decent series against New Zealand (two fifties) but a poor one against Australia in late summer, averaging just 10.
He also looked vulnerable against bouncy fast bowling (twice out pulling).
However, some convincing innings’ here will enhance his chances of getting the nod to become Alastair Cook’s opening partner in the forthcoming Test series in South Africa.
Who he will face in this series, given Pakistan’s plethora of bowling options and knack of unearthing unknowns, is anyone’s guess.
But don’t be surprised if they open with a spinner.
I take England’s greater power and depth with the bat and superior fielding to win this four match series 3-1.
But predicting a one-day series is a mug’s game…
Pakistan v England first ODI betting
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