Alex Hales: Ed Cowan backs Nottinghamshire opener

Nottinghamshire batsman Ed Cowan has backed Alex Hales to come good again following the opener's poor run of form in red-ball cricket this season.

Hales has failed to score more than 17 in his last eight first-class innings and has one Championship half-century.

Cowan, who will play for Australia in the Ashes, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "There's a huge amount of support for Alex in the changing room.

"There will be times later in the year when he will be carrying the burden."

Hales has been one of Nottinghamshire's most consistent performers in the last couple of years and his displays in one-day cricket has cemented him a place in England's Twenty20 side.

The 24-year-old has made 17 T20 appearances for England at an average of 37.42, with a highest score of 99.

His form in one-day cricket this season has been better, with two half-centuries in five matches as Notts sit top of Group A of the YB40.

But, after averaging 34.65 in Championship cricket last season, including two centuries, Hales averages just 11.83 this year.

"It only takes one slice of luck and a couple of bad balls to get going in your innings, and there you go," added Cowan.

"I think good teams get around guys having a bad time. The best thing about the team at the moment is everyone is chipping in and it's a really big team effort."