England vs India: Alex Hales to miss the Trent Bridge ODI; replacement announced

The three-match ODI series between India and England is all set to commence on Thursday at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The visitors have already won the T20 International series and the Brits are under pressure to respond to the toughest challenge of the summer. However, they have been dealt with a huge blow ahead of the first game as Alex Hales has been ruled out due to the side injury.

He was not seen in the nets with the team on Wednesday as many felt he will be dropped from the team to accommodate Ben Stokes. The all-rounder is returning after an injury and played n the deciding T20I in Bristol on Sunday as well. He is too good a player to be left out if fit and Joe Root had to be left out for him. Hales will have to spend some more time on the bench it seems even after getting fit later in the series.

Who is the replacement?

Dawid Malan has been called up to the squad as the back up for Hales The injury to the batsman will be reviewed on a game by game basis during the series according to the Twitter handle of BBC Test Match Special. Hales played a brilliant knock of 147 in the previous outing at the venue against Australia last month and England will miss him badly if he is ruled out of the series.

Malan is yet to make his debut in the 50-overs format in spite of playing 14 Tests and 5 T20 Internationals. There are fewer chances of him getting a chance to showcase his skills in this series as England side is stacked up with immense talent. Also, if Hales gets fit for the remaining ODIs, then Malan will have to leave the squad and continue playing domestic cricket.

England confirm @AlexHales1 will miss the ODI today @TrentBridge with a side injury. @dmalan29 is called up into the squad.

Injury will be reviewed on a game by game basis. #bbccricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/oM7byYoIHe

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 12, 2018

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