Stuart Broad has backed Alex Hales to prove his worth to England if he is selected to open the batting in the Test series with South Africa this winter.

Hales looks set to join Alastair Cook at the top of the order after Moeen Ali's struggles against Pakistan in the UAE, and Broad is certain that his Nottinghamshire teammate is good enough to thrive in the longest format.

"Alex averaged over 50 in the Championship last season and deserves his chance," the seamer told BBC Nottingham.

"Alex didn't open in the UAE because we went down a different tactical route but it is there for him now. James Whitaker has said they are looking for Alex to open and hopefully it goes well for him in the first few warm-up games.

"He got his first [ODI] hundred for England the other day and I think everyone in Nottingham jumped up."

Hales has scored 12 hundreds and 30 half-centuries in 85 first-class matches.