Alex Hales backs Jos Buttler to impress

Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales has backed England's new Test call-up Jos Buttler to prove himself as wicketkeeper-batsman after Matt Prior decided to take a break from the sport.

Buttler, who plays for Lancashire, has a 33.32 average in first class cricket, and Hales is confident that he will be able to easily translate that form to Test level.

"Jos is one of the most talented players I've ever seen to hit a cricket ball," Hales told Sky Sports News. "I don't know what people expect from him straight away, but once he finds his feet at Test level, he'll be outstanding.

"I feel there is a place for attacking players in Test matches, as Kevin Pietersen showed for many years, and that's definitely my aim down the line."

Hales and Buttler have played together in the shorter forms of the game.