Dawid Malan likely to be picked ahead of Alex Hales for the Ashes

The swashbuckling English opener Alex Hales is likely to be dropped out of the squad, for this winter’s Ashes series. The England team is set to revealed next week, and the former opener would know his fate by then. Hales had a fine season with Nottinghamshire having moved into the middle order for the derby side after being dropped from the England squad following his 11-match stint as an English opener.

Hales did not have a chance to prove his worth after the second ODI at Trent Bridge was washed due to a heavy downpour. However, he would definitely be a contender as a backup opener in case Dawid Malan fails to put up expected performance. There has been a worry over the right-hander’s ability to cope up with the short ball while the Australia is known for producing bouncy wickets. Reports suggest that the English team would stick with Malan over the likes of Hales.

Tom Westley as the backup opener:

Westley is likely to retain his place but faces competition from either Gary Ballance or Keaton Jennings for the No. 3 position. Toby Roland-Jones, on the other hand, is set to miss out as well due to a stress fracture despite earning himself a spot with an impressive show against South Africa this summer.

England, have thus far faced criticisms for not resting their pace bowlers ahead of the crucial away Ashes tour, with Steven Finn picking up an eight-wicket haul in the 36-run win on the final day. Middlesex, however, must win their final encounter against Somerset at Taunton to guarantee their place in Division One.

The side led by Eoin Morgan face the Windies line-up in the third ODI in Bristol on Sunday, followed by matches at the Oval on Wednesday with the final game scheduled to take place in Southampton on Friday.