ALEX Hales and Zafar Ansari have both been included in England’s Test squad to tour UAE next month to face Pakistan.
Nottinghamshire batsman Hales has been in fine form for his county in the longer format, despite his struggles in the recent ODI series against Australia.
And the 26-year-old looks set to replace Adam Lyth at the top or the order, with the Yorkshire batsman missing out on this squad after his poor Ashes series.
Surrey’s Ansari is one of three spinners picked, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali the others, as England get set for a three match series beginning in Abu Dhabi on October 13.
National selector James Whitaker said: “Alex Hales fully deserves an opportunity to compete for a place at the top of the order in our Test side.
“He has scored heavily for Nottinghamshire in first-class cricket this season and has shown he can play match-winning innings for England in white-ball cricket.
“Zafar Ansari’s potential excites us and he will provide strong competition for Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in the Test squad after enjoying an excellent domestic season with both bat and ball for Surrey.”
In the one-day squad, all-rounder Ben Stokes has been rested although Joe Root returns despite missing the Australia series for the same reason.
While Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry and Sussex bowler Chris Jordan have both been recalled to the t20 squad.
England Test squad: Cook, Moeen Ali, Anderson, Ansari, Bairstow, Bell, Broad, Buttler, Finn, Hales, Plunkett, Rashid, Root, Stokes, Taylor, Wood
England ODI squad: Morgan, Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Billings, Buttler, Finn, Hales, Rashid, Root, Roy, Taylor, Topley, Willey, Woakes, Wood
England t20 squad: Morgan, Moeen Ali, Billings, Buttler, Hales, Jordan, Parry, Rashid, Root, Roy, Topley, Vince, Willey, Woakes, Wood
