England’s director of cricket Ashley Giles hints at Alex Hales’ comeback chances
The talks around Alex Hales’ comeback in the England T20 side have not ended yet. He was not picked up for the India tour where Eoin Morgan and Co. are playing a five-match T20I series. Now, England’s Director of Cricket Ashley Giles has hinted that there are chances of having the top order batsman back in the side.
The England captain, Eoin Morgan, had recently, in a press conference, said that he stands at the same spot when it comes to Hales’ coming back. He denied any chances of him turning up in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup squad. But, according to Giles, the door hasn’t yet been closed on Hales forever. But, he emphasized getting back the trust.
Giles emphasizes the trust-factor as far as Alex Hales’ comeback is concerned
“He’s a high-class player. We’re lucky that we’re blessed with a lot of high-class players in our T20 lineup particularly. But the door can’t be closed forever. As we all know, trust is a really important thing when you play in teams and that has to be won back,” Giles said on Sky Sports’ Cricket Show.
Giles further talked about England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) plans to add players to the training in the English summer. He hinted that Hales could be included in the training groups of the limited-overs side. Hales has played 11 Tests, 70 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for England and he last donned the national jersey way back in March 2019.
“We’re always looking at ways to consider getting players who aren’t currently in the active squad to come along to training days, perhaps in the run-up to a series. It’s an opportunity to keep growing and expanding that group of players and keep building those relationships with players who are just outside the actual squad, but that we know are good cricketers. It’s something we might consider in the English summer,” Giles added.
Hales has been playing in T20 franchise leagues across the globe, in order to get back in the England team. He was the highest run-getter in the Big Bash League 2020-21. He had also started the Pakistan Super League with some good performances before the tournament was postponed. Hales has not received a call-up for England since he had been tested positive for recreational drugs in the test conducted ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup squad selection.
