Sky pundit wants England to pick Vince and stick with Hales
Thursday 12 May 2016 08:43, UK
England have no need to recall Ian Bell with a host of young batting talent ready to step up, says Nasser Hussain.
James Taylor's retirement has opened up a spot in England's middle order, while Nick Compton's place at No 3 could also be in jeopardy after his tough start to the county season.
Bell, 34, has amassed over 7,700 runs in his 118 Tests but Hussain feels the selectors should look to the future when they pick the players to face Sri Lanka.
"I wouldn't go back to Bell as I think it would be a backward step," Hussain told Sky Sports News HQ ahead of Thursday's squad announcement.
"Bell has been a great player for England and he will do fine if he plays this summer, as I'm sure Compton will, but if you go back then you are holding things up.
"You've got guys like James Vince, Tom Westley, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Lees, Sam Robson and Tom Abell all getting lots of runs and you have to have an eye on the future.
"It's not an experimentation - it's because I believe the lads I've mentioned have a future in an England shirt and the sooner we get them in and around the team the better."
Hussain believes Hampshire star Vince - who notched a hundred against reigning county champions Yorkshire earlier this season - should be handed a Test debut at Headingley.
The former England captain would also like to see Jos Buttler recalled from his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians and take the wicketkeeping gloves, allowing the in-form Jonny Bairstow to bat at No 5.
"I think it is the right time for Vince," he said.
"A lot of comparisons are made to Michael Vaughan and while I'm not sure about that just yet, he strikes me as a guy who could perform at the highest level."
On Bairstow, who has plundered scores of 246 and 198 for Yorkshire this campaign, Hussain said: "He's been a run machine and getting his runs in excellent fashion so I'd like to see him pushed up.
"I don't think England will go that way but I feel Buttler has unfinished business in Test cricket and if he cracks it coming in at No 7, he is a real talent.
"That's not to say he hasn't done it - he has an 80 and two 70s - but there is much more to come."
Hussain would not ditch Alex Hales from the top of the order, despite the Nottinghamshire right-hander averaging just 17 across his three Test matches against South Africa this winter.
Warner knows where his off stump is and can see off the new ball if it is moving around, something Hales will have to learn.
However, the Sky Sports pundit says Hales - a staple of England's limited-overs sides - should look to Australia star David Warner as an example of how a naturally-aggressive player can flourish as a Test opener.
"I'm not of the opinion that Hales should treat it as a one-day game as you have to keep the good balls out as a Test opener," added Hussain.
"People will say how Warner has come from T20 cricket and, yes, he smashes it really well - but he also has a very good technique.
"He knows where his off stump is and can see off the new ball if it is moving around, something Hales will have to learn."
Head to Sky Sports News HQ and Sky Sports' digital platforms at 7am on Thursday for first news of England's Test squad to play Sri Lanka.
Then catch the three-Test series live on Sky Sports, starting with the first game at Headingley, from 10am, Thursday, May 19 on Sky Sports 2.
