Opener Hales opens up on it
LONDON: England Opener Alex Hales is of the belief that his team hold a psychological advantage over Pakistan after overcoming a 100-run first-innings deficit to win the third Test at Edgbaston.
Hales shared a century opening stand with Alastair Cook for the first time, the pair erasing Pakistan’s advantage before close of play on day three.
The opener spoke at a press conference before the final Test at the Oval, starting tomorrow.
“It was a brilliant win to turn it around the way we did. They bowled well on day one but we managed to drag the game back brilliantly with our batting in the second innings, and showed a lot of patience and desire to drag it back as a team.”
Hales was happy with his contribution but conceded he would have liked to cash in on the start and convert his half-century to three figures.
“I’m satisfied but disappointed not to go on the morning after. The period me and Cooky batted at the end of day three was pivotal in setting the game up, and if we’d lost one or two wickets that session they’d have gone into the fourth day with their tails up.
“It was a key period in the game.
“On a personal level the runs haven’t come as I would have liked so far, having got a couple of good balls and played a couple of rash shots, so I made a few adjustments to my technique against the left-armers and still feel I’m heading in the right direction. “I think the second innings at Edgbaston showed that, but at the same time it’s about scoring runs and getting results, and I know I need to score more, particularly in this Test coming up.
“South Africa didn’t go to plan but I showed improvements against Sri Lanka. Obviously this series hasn’t quite gone to plan, but I’ve shown people what I can do and this Test is a really important one for me.
“If I can show some form hopefully that will get me on some winter tours, but I do still feel like I’m improving and that’s important to me.
“The second innings was so important for us. A few of us were disappointed not to go on and get bigger scores but the scores we did get contributed to a big win for English cricket, and that will do our confidence a lot of good.
“Something I’ve learnt is not to go out and bat with any preconceived ideas. I don’t want to be a guy who is known for blocking it, nor hits it to all parts.
“You have to be adaptable to each situation.
“If they bowl well I want to be good enough to see it off, and if they bowl poorly still have the intention to hit the bad balls. “Just play the situation.” England could leapfrog Australia and take over the No 1 ranking if results go their way elsewhere, a huge boost for a young team. – Cricket365. com