England vs Sri Lanka: Alastair Cook impressed by Alex Hales' improvement

Captain says opening England partner 'has something about him'

Alex Hales impressed his captain despite failing to reach three figures (Getty)

England captain Alastair Cook had special praise for his opening partner Alex Hales following their side’s series win over Sri Lanka, the last day of which was hit by miserable weather around Lord’s.

England won the Investec series 2-0 but were denied the chance to win it 3-0 when there were only 12.2 overs possible on the final day. Sri Lanka finished on 78 for 1 but Cook was looking for the positives despite the soggy conclusion. And in Hales, who made scores of 86, 83 and 94, he found one.

“It was a good series win,” Cook said. “Alex Hales, with three scores of 80 plus, was really pleasing. He has tightened up his game from South Africa and probably learnt about Test cricket. It’s great when you see someone who doesn’t quite nail it in the first four games but goes away and shows hunger and desire. He has worked on his game away from the spotlight and come back and understands a lot more about how Test cricket works. He has made some really big strides. You don’t know what the future holds but he has got something about him.”

Cook had kind words too for the bowling all-rounder, Chris Woakes, who was probably the pick of England’s attack in the first innings here at Lord’s and was only in the team due to injury to Ben Stokes.

“Woakes has really impressed me too,” Cook said. “He is different cricketer to Stokes, not as dynamic but very effective. His 60-odd here when we needed runs and then the pace and accuracy of his bowling. I said before Durham that we hadn't seen the best of him. He made big strides in these games, probably proving to himself that he can do it. It’s great for our squad to have that all-round option. He balances the side - maybe in a slightly different way to Stokes.”

For Nick Compton it was a less successful series and Cook admitted his spot would come under discussion. “He showed glimpses without getting a score,” the captain said. “He’s as frustrated as anyone. He has to go and get big runs in county games. We have won the last two series and he’s been a big part of the team but clearly there is a decision to be made.”

He has tightened up his game from South Africa and learnt about Test cricket. It’s great when you see someone who doesn’t quite nail it but goes away and shows hunger and desire

&#13; <p>Alastair Cook on Alex Hales</p>&#13;

Compton’s failings were part of a wider malaise at the top of England’s batting order where, once again in a series, they were often a few down for not many. “In English conditions it can happen,” Cook reasoned. “Against the best bowlers in the world with the Duke ball...It has happened a couple more times than we would like but we got 400 here, 500 at Durham and 300 at Headingley. We know top-order runs are important and it’s not ideal but in England you need to bat deep. If we got Sri Lanka five down, we’d run through their tail pretty quickly but one of our strengths is we bat deep.”

A key part of that deep batting line up was Jonny Bairstow, who was named man of the series after making 140 and 167 not out. “It was a brilliant achievement,” Cook said. “It’s great to have an attacking batsman coming in - similar to Matt Prior at his best - when you are 100 for 5 he can change the momentum, take the game to the opposition. No one knows what confidence is but from the runs he got in South Africa, the monkey off his back from that hundred there, it is clear to see he has it. He works hard and is getting his rewards. But he knows he’s got to continue to work hard.

“He has to work at his keeping. A couple of chances have gone down. But you don't become a world-class keeper overnight.”