text: Alex Hales claims he is still waiting for a 'proper crack' at one-day international cricket. The big-hitting top-order batsman has nine England caps to date, since his debut against India last August. But after opening alongside Alastair Cook four times in that series defeat, Hales has played in only five of England's subsequent 18 matches - including at the World Cup - and has batted instead at number three on three occasions. Alex Hales is hoping for a 'proper crack' at one-day international cricket with England . The 26-year-old is hoping for more continuity when England resume their ODI schedule this summer. Asked if he thinks he has had little of that so far, he told The Guardian: 'Honestly, yes I do. 'I don't feel like I've had a proper crack at it yet. 'I played the back-end of last summer against India, did okay without setting the world alight - and since then, it has been the odd game, coming in, dropping out again.' Hales was his own critic, after making an encouraging 40 on debut in Cardiff. Since the series against India last August, Hales has played in only five of England's subsequent 18 matches . He admitted back then, before his second innings, that India's seamers had limited his strokeplay, claiming: 'They were just very cunning. Once I got past 30, they were one step ahead of me. 'So it's up to me to put that right, and have that game smartness.' Nonetheless, he takes issue with the theory that he has been 'worked out' already at ODI level. He added: 'I read the press and saw the stuff about 'bringing the ball back in' and that I had been worked out - I got bowled once by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with an inswinger. 'That's not being worked out - that's a good delivery.' Nottinghamshire big-hitter Hales was run out last Sunday as his county battled to draw against Middlesex . Moeen Ali was preferred at the top of the order, alongside Cook in the series defeat in Sri Lanka and then with Ian Bell at the World Cup. 'Getting the news at the start of that Sri Lanka tour that I wasn't going to get first crack dented my confidence quite a bit,' said Hales. 'Maybe I let it affect me in a negative way. 'I am still learning my game, but I would definitely not say I have been "worked out".'
target: Alex Hales has nine England caps since his debut against India last August .
  The big-hitting batsman is hoping for a 'proper crack' with his country .
  Hales has played only five of last 18 matches since India series defeat .