Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales has been awarded his county cap by Club Captain Chris Read.
Hales demonstrated his prowess with a fine knock of 184 during Nottinghamshire’s ongoing LV= County Championship match against Somerset at Trent Bridge.
“Alex has played exceptionally well in this match but this recognises his contribution to the team over a sustained period,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
“He has demonstrated consistency and maturity in his batting and his challenge now is to continue to build big scores in four day cricket.
“Converting fifities into hundreds will help him to reach the next level and that is his route to England Lions selection.”
Hales, 22, made his first class debut for Nottinghamshire against Somerset in 2008 and shot to prominence by scoring 150 not out in a 40-over match in August 2009.
Now firmly established in the Nottinghamshire top three in all formats, he will open the batting alongside Tamim Iqbal in Friday’s Friends Life t20 match against Worcestershire Royals at Trent Bridge.