Monday 14 December 2015 07:21, UK
Alex Hales will open the batting for England in the first Test with South Africa in Durban, coach Trevor Bayliss has confirmed.
The Nottinghamshire star has impressed for England in one-day cricket, but he will be making his Test debut on Boxing Day as captain Alastair Cook's opening partner.
Bayliss, speaking after England's first training session at Potchefstroom, said: "Halesy has been with the squad for the last couple of series without getting a game.
"He's the only other opener in the squad so I doubt very much anyone else will take that slot. He deserves his opportunity at the top of the order to try and make that spot his own."
Nick Compton and Gary Ballance are battling it out for the No 3 spot, and Bayliss said both men would be given an opportunity to stake a claim.
"We've got two very important practice matches before the first Test which could go a long way towards finalising that position," he said.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson will lead the attack, but the third seamer place is up for grabs, with Steven Finn still proving his fitness with the England Lions.
Mark Footitt, who is on his first tour, will be battling with the likes of Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes to play, and Bayliss has high hopes for the left-arm quick.
"He's got a little bit of pace and being left-handed, that's something different," he said. "And he swings the ball. If anyone can bowl with decent pace and can swing the ball, that can cause problems for the batters. This tour could be a big one for him."
Ben Stokes is back in the fold and Bayliss says the Durham all-rounder is on track to play after recovering from the shoulder injury which he suffered against Pakistan.
"I'm pretty confident that he will be fine. He's not a guy who complains about it too much," Bayliss said. "He's been batting and bowling now for a few weeks. We just have to get a few overs out of him in competition and a few hours from him with his batting."
Cook said that with places up for grabs, he is expecting some testing net sessions in the run up to the first Test.
"We don't know our best XI yet - that's probably an indication of where we are as a side, in terms of the inconsistency," he said. "There's a lot of things up for grabs and people can make a name for themselves on this tour.
"We are trying to find the best combinations and best players, people who nail down places and become automatic selections, through the wickets they take, runs... the contribution they make to the side.
"There's a lot to play for internally in the next 10 days for the lads. That means the net sessions after today are going to be fairly intense, with people trying to prove a point."
