Alex Hales Will Bat At Number Three, Confirms Eoin Morgan

Confirming that Alex Hales would be a part of the playing eleven for the upcoming One-off One-day International against Scotland, England skipper Eoin Morgan said the top-order batsman will bat at number three.

As Hales lost his opening slot in the side after being omitted from the last two ODIs for the home series against Windies last year in relation to the brawl outside a Bristol bar also involving Ben Stokes.

In his absence, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow formed a formidable partnership at the top. While Roy was more or less certain to bat at the top. It is Bairstow’s form which eventually saw Hales losing his opening spot.

Well, since the start of 2017, the wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 804 runs in 16 innings which included four tons and a solitary half-century.

“Alex [Hales] is playing. He will bat at three. He did really well in Australia when we were there and then in the deciding game when Jason [Roy] went down in Christchurch in New Zealand. I thought he played exceptionally well,” PA quoted Morgan as saying.

“There’s huge competition for places in the side and we are spoilt for batsmen,” he said.

The England skipper further confessed that England have a surplus of batsmen and that it’s a good thing leading into the home-bound 2019 World Cup.

“It’s always difficult. We are spoilt for three keepers. And they are all very good batsmen. Jonny has been in unbelievable form at the top of the order, and Jos is just world class. And Sam [Billings] has been trying to get into the side for the last 2-3 years. He’s been to the IPL and Big Bash, and he’s impressed in both the tournaments,” said Morgan.

The One-off games have attracted widespread criticism. However, Morgan feels it creates an opportunity for both England and Scotland.

The southpaw Eoin Morgan argued that one-match series will come with the necessity to win at all costs for England.

“It’s really good for us in a way. We go through long periods of time playing bilateral series, and we scream and moan about not being able to play tri-series and must-win games. We will try and replicate that tomorrow,” Morgan explained.

After the lone ODI, England will take on reigning world champions Australia in a five-match ODI series. In addition, it will be followed by a One-off T20I.