England's Stuart Broad has said that Alex Hales has the ability to "change the momentum of games", amid calls for the batsman to be drafted into the side.
England have lost three of their four matches at the Cricket World Cup so far and have to beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan in their final two group games to avoid a shock exit before the quarter-final stage.
Despite their poor form, Eoin Morgan's side has remained unchanged throughout the tournament so far, but the pressure is mounting for Hales to be given a chance in place of the out-of-form Gary Ballance.
Hales is ranked as the third-best Twenty20 batsman in the world but has struggled at times in the 50-over format, managing to reach double figures just once in his last five innings, including a difficult series against India in the summer.
Broad admitted that Hales could be hit-and-miss at times, but pointed to his T20 World Cup century against Sri Lanka as proof that he can succeed on the big stage.
"He's a player who can change momentums of games," Broad told reporters.
"We are looking for players to stand up. [It's] part of being in a World Cup; no we've not got the results we want, but every player in the squad should be quite excited because it only takes a great run out or an amazing catch for the whole momentum of our campaign to change so every player should be thinking 'I can change the momentum of this World Cup'.
"He is the sort of player who can get you nought or 140. He is a dangerous player. That World Cup knock in Bangladesh against Sri Lanka was one of the best you've seen. He obviously struggled when he came into the 50-over side a bit, didn't he, in the India series."
England's next match comes against Bangladesh in Adelaide on Monday.
Barney Corkhill
