Does Alex Hales deserve a better treatment from the ECB?
Within a year’s time, Alex Hales became a T20 journeyman after being one of the top batsmen in the world. Ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Hales was left out of the England team after testing positive for using recreational drugs. This not only barred him from having a World Cup medal around his neck but has also disallowed him a return to international cricket.
He last played an international match in March 2019. The key reason why the Nottinghamshire player has not been added to the national team has to do with the captain, Eoin Morgan. The proud World Cup-winning skipper believes that the trust of the players residing within the team was broken due to this incident. Something similar was said by Andrew Strauss when he wanted to keep Kevin Pietersen away from the international scene.
Experts want Hales back
However, at the very least, the punishment which Hales has endured definitely doesn’t fit the crime. His English teammates have spoken about wanting to have him back. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has now called out for his comeback on numerous occasions. Nasser Hussain and several other famous names have opined that the right-handed batsman should be given a chance.
Come on … He deserves to get another chance … time should be a great healer … @AlexHales1 has just struck 100 off 51 balls … #BigBash #England
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 22, 2021
It is quite marvellous how Alex Hales, once a promising talent in England, has maintained his skills at the highest level without playing international cricket. After he ended up as the leading run-getter in the Big Bash League 2020-21, there were some discussions regarding Hales and Michael Vaughan entered into a Twitter rant as well. But, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) didn’t budge. Captain Morgan remains firm on his stance.
It should also be noted that Ashley Giles, the director of the Men’s cricket team of England, has said that the doors can never be closed for Hales. This statement came out in March and acts as a hint that the batsman could be included in the England national team training camps during the English summer of 2021.
Having said that, it is high time that ECB takes a step on this issue. To tell that Hales should not make it to the England national white-ball squad on his recent form is bizarre. He is a wonderful batsman in white-ball cricket, and maybe one of the most talented ones in the country. As England prepare for the T20 World Cup in India later this year, adding Hales to the squad will be a great boost of experience and class.
