Chris Read believes Alex Hales and Karl Turner have the potential to form the kind of steady opening partnership not seen at Notts since Darren Bicknell and Jason Gallian.

The left-hand, right-hand duo were paired together for the final four games of the season after Hales returned from England Lions duty.

Both men made encouraging contributions during that time and skipper Read is hoping they can rediscover that form in early 2012.

Notts have struggled to find an effective duo at the top of the order since Bicknell and Gallian helped the club win the County Championship Division One title in 2005.

"Alex has returned to the position of opener and has done very well and we have high hopes for Karl Turner after a promising start," said Read.

"We have had to play around with the order and moved Alex back up from number three but he has done a fantastic job and that is why he is being recognised at a higher level.

"No one had heard of Karl at the start of the season, but he has come in and done really well.

"He broke into the side through the sheer weight of runs he had scored in the seconds.

"We are looking for the pair to improve even more next year on what they have done in the second half of the summer."

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