ENGLAND are looking to win their first ever Cricket World Cup this summer on home soil.
Eoin Morgan’s exciting side are currently ranked No1 in the world – and Alex Hales has been one of the shining lights since the ODI rebuild in 2015.
A TALENTED opening batsman, Hales plays for Nottinghamshire and England.
Originally a bowling all-rounder, a 16-year-old Hales came to national attention in 2005 when he smashed 55 off a single over in a T20 tournament at Lords.
He was offered pro terms with Notts in 2008, with a further extension in 2009, and impressed with his explosive hitting in the one-day format.
Still only 20 in 2009, he hit the top score in that year’s Pro40 tournament, pillaging 150 off 102 balls against Worcestershire.
Hales appeared for the England U19s and Lions squad as he looked to break into the international setup, eventually getting his ODI call-up in 2014.
Since then, he has gone on to play 70 ODIs for England, scoring six centuries and 14 fifties.
Memorably in 2016, he sent Pakistan to all-parts at Trent Bridge, smashing 171 from 122 balls to take the record for the highest score by an Englishman in one-day internationals.
Hales has also been selected for England in Test cricket and has currently played 11 Tests, scoring 573 runs at an average of 27.28.
Now regarded as a one-day specialist, in 2018 he signed a new contract with Nottinghamshire to play only limited-overs matches until the end of the 2019 season.
ON April 26, a spokesman for Hales revealed that he was serving a ban from cricket for ‘personal reasons’.
The incident happened in 2018, and the player’s spokesman revealed: “While the issue is not cricket related, he accepted it was right he was suspended.”
The suspension lasted for 21 days.
It has since been revealed that Hales tested positive for a recreational drug as he underwent a hair follicle test.
Hales also received a fine and suspension following his part in the infamous nightclub brawl involving Ben Stokes in September 2017.
THE 30-year-old was named as part of a provisional 15-man squad named for the World Cup.
But following the news of his drugs ban, the decision was taken to remove him from the squads for the Ireland ODI, five-game Pakistan series and this summer’s tournament.
ECB chief Ashley Giles said: “I want to make it clear this is not the end of Alex’s career as an England player.
“We have thought long and hard about this decision.
“We have worked hard to create the right environment around the England team and need to consider what is in the best interests of the team, to ensure they are free from any distractions and able to focus on being successful on the pitch.
“The ECB and the PCA will continue to aid Alex and work alongside his county club Nottinghamshire to give him the support he needs, to help him fulfil his potential as a professional cricketer.”
