Shane Warne: 'Alex Hales should open batting in Test cricket'

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne has insisted that England are making a mistake by not picking Alex Hales to open the batting in Test cricket.

Hales has never played a Test match for England, but the Nottinghamshire man has scored more runs than any other batsman in the County Championship during the early stages of the season.

Jonathan Trott announced his retirement from international duty after struggling on his return to the side in the West Indies, and although Adam Lyth was selected for the tour, Warne believes that the England selectors should turn to Hales.

"If England want to look at a blueprint – Australia are probably the best side in the world again now and what it is they're doing well, they picked David Warner to be aggressive at the top of the order," he told Sky Sports News.

"England have the perfect player to do that in Hales. He can come into Test match cricket and have the same impact. I'd get Hales in there with Alastair Cook – that's a good combination. It's an aggressive approach to have him in.

"I'm sure there are a few other guys vying for it – Adam Lyth, for example. But for me, Hales is the guy to open. New Zealand and Australia would be worried about someone like him at the top of the order, someone who could take advantage and go after them."

England return to action in the longest format against New Zealand at Lord's on May 21.