Alex Hales has received a glowing endorsement upon his return to the top of England’s batting order, from his opening partner Jason Roy.
Hales and Roy have each enjoyed success against the white ball since being united at the top of the order in 2015, posting seven centuries between them and setting a record opening stand of 256 against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston last summer.
With the Nottinghamshire man absent from the recent tour of Bangladesh, Roy found himself with a new opening partner in the shape of Hampshire’s James Vince.
But the Surrey right-hander is happy to be reunited with his fellow big-hitter and friend, who recently signed a new two-year contract with Nottinghamshire.
The pair shared a partnership of 95 in the first warm-up match against India A on Tuesday. The three match One-Day International series commences in Gahunje on Sunday.
“It’s good fun to have him back, he’s been working hard on his game back at home and it’s good to see him playing some nice shots out there as well. We enjoy batting together,” said Roy.
“He’s a good friend of mine and we know each other’s games pretty well. We bat together in net sessions, in training, and we know what we’re doing wrong and we know what we’re doing right.
“We test ourselves and we push each other, and if we don’t do very well we give each other stick – long may it continue.”
England return to Nottingham in 2017 to face South Africa and the West Indies. With tickets for days one and two of the South Africa Test having already been snaffled, don't miss the chance to see some of the most exciting sides in world cricket go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.