Alex Hales believes the atmosphere at Trent Bridge is one of the best in the world, as the Nottinghamshire batsman prepares to take on Pakistan at his home venue on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has made four previous international appearances at the Nottingham venue and says it remains one of his favourite grounds.

“International games here are always a special occasion,” he said.

“In my opinion it’s one of the best grounds in the world for atmosphere.

“England have a pretty good record here, as well. It’s one of our favourite grounds and fans come from afar, from all around England, to support us here.

“The weather looks good and it’s set to be a cracker of a game.”

England could name an unchanged line-up and still gain an additional option with the ball, after Ben Stokes indicated his availability to bowl for the first time since sustaining a calf injury in mid summer.

Hales is full of confidence in his teammates after a pair of comprehensive victories put them 2-0 up in the five-match series, heading into the match at Trent Bridge.

However, against a Pakistan side who could hand a recall to giant fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, the 90-time England international is guarding fiercely against complacency.

“It’s a perfect start to be 2-0 up in the series,” he said. “We know more than anyone that we can’t get complacent.

“We’ve done a lot of right things this series and it’s up to us to keep it up.

“With the batting line-up we’ve got; guys who can clear the ropes pretty much all the way down to number eleven, it’s really an exciting time for English 50-over cricket.”

Hales himself embarks on the contest on the back of scoring seven and 14 in the opening two matches. In Test cricket this summer he has averaged 33.61 across seven matches.

However, having scored heavily against Pakistan in the UAE during the winter, followed by prolific returns against South Africa and Sri Lanka, Hales is taking confidence from his recent record in the 50-over format.

“The last month or so hasn't quite gone how I would’ve liked,” he said.

“My 50-over form in the last year has actually been really good - I’ve scored a decent amount of runs.

“It’s just the last couple of games that have slacked a little bit and there’s no better place than your home ground to try and put it right, and find the form I had at the start of the year. 

“In terms of 50-over cricket, I’m happy with my form. I’m obviously disappointed not to have gotten scores in the first two games, but I still feel in a good place against the white ball.”

England squad to face Pakistan (from): Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (Capt.), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) and Mark Wood (Durham).

Pakistan's ODI squad: Azhar Ali (capt), Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Nawaz.

 

Trent Bridge will host an Investec Test Match between England and South Africa, and a Royal London One-Day International visit from the West Indies, in 2017.

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