Hales ready for England’s new Pakistan challenge

ABU DHABI: Free-flowing opener Alex Hales Saturday said England were ready to face a new one-day challenge against Pakistan in the dry conditions of United Arab Emirates, saying his team’s progress would continue.

England have showed remarkable improvement in one-day internationals after failing to clear the first round of the 2015 World Cup, beating New Zealand 3-2 and losing to Australia by the same margin.

But Hales, 26, admitted it will be tough against Pakistan.

"The strides we made in the summer were fantastic and this will be as tough a challenge as we´ve had so far as this new outfit," said Hales after a team practice session.

"We are playing in drier conditions where perhaps the game won´t be as free flowing as in England. I guess as an opener the power-play overs will be pretty crucial when there´s pace on the ball. You have a big role at the top of the order to go on and make big scores."

The first of four one-day internationals will be in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Hales, who is also part of the Test squad but was not played in the 2-0 loss against Pakistan, hopes a good show in the one-dayers will help him force his way into the side for next month´s tour of South Africa.

"It is a great opportunity. Any time you play for England is, but it´s particularly important for me now with that spot up for grabs at the top of the order. Hopefully, I can show some form here and if I get that chance in South Africa I´ll be ready for that now."

England tried Moeen Ali as opener -- the seventh partner for Alastair Cook in the last three years -- in Tests against Pakistan but the make-shift arrangement did not work.

Hales looks forward to the challenge of facing the world´s best paceman Dale Steyn on South Africa tour, if selected as opener.

"It´s really is an exciting prospect but we don´t know anything about the Test series yet," said Hales who has played 35 Twenty20 and 20 one-day internationals but no Tests.

"If the opportunity comes along that would be an incredible achievement for me and playing out in South Africa against arguably the best bowling attack in the world in away conditions would be a great challenge. It´s something I´m really looking forward to if it comes along."

England will play a friendly 50-over game against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi before taking on Pakistan.