England are poised to give Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales his international debut in tomorrow night's Twenty20 game against India at Old Trafford.
The big-hitting opener has been included in the senior party for the first time after impressing for his county this season. Hales has also been involved with the England Lions and his destructive style is tailor-made for the shortest form of the game.
Hales was the highest-scoring Englishman in domestic Twenty20 cricket this season, scoring 544 runs in 16 matches in the Friends Life t20 competition. He has replaced Michael Lumb in the squad and is likely to partner Craig Kieswetter at the top of the order.
"The domestic Twenty20 competition went well for me and I'm pleased to have been recognised for scoring runs in a winning team," Hales said. "England are the world's best Test team and the Twenty20 world champions, so breaking into the set-up at any level is a big deal and I'm extremely proud.
"I need to back my ability to play positively and score runs if I'm going to stay in contention for a place and that's my target going into tomorrow's game."
Hales is one of three newcomers to the squad, along with Somerset batsman Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, the Durham all-rounder who the England selectors believe can become a key player in all forms of the game.
Stokes made his debut in the one-day victory over Ireland in Dublin last week but he scored only three runs and did not bowl.
It will also be Kevin Pietersen's last appearance for England against India this summer. Pietersen remains an integral part of England's Twenty20 plans but has been left out of the forthcoming five-match one-day series.
After losing the Test series 4-0, India warmed up for Old Trafford by beating Leicestershire by 15 runs at Grace Road yesterday.
