Alex Hales hasn’t played for England since 2019 and admits he thought his career was over; but the starter is keen to take a chance after the call-up, with the Pakistan T20 series ahead of the World Cup next month; “I’ve changed,” adds Hales.
Alex Hales insists he has changed and matured ahead of his return to England
Alex Hales admits he thought his England career was over after three and a half years in the international wild.
The Nottinghamshire batsman has not represented his country since he was sacked on the eve of the 2019 World Cup following two failed recreational drug tests.
Hales had to watch from the bench as his teammates won the tournament after a remarkable final against New Zealand at Lord’s.
But the 33-year-old is back after being called up to replace the injured Jonny Bairstow in Matthew Mott’s squad for next month’s tournament in Australia.
“I thought the opportunity would never come again,” Hales said in an article published by the Daily Telegraph. “As a cricketer, it’s your worst nightmare to be involved in a World Cup team, to miss the eve and then see your team.
“Obviously it’s brilliant to see the team lift it, but at the same time it hurts inside that you should have been a part of it and you weren’t.”
England Test captain Ben Stokes was close to Hales, but that bond deteriorated in the wake of a late-night incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, which led to the former being charged and eventually cleared of the dispute. .
Former England one-day captain Eoin Morgan also cited a “total breakdown in confidence” over Hales’ prolonged absence.
However, Hales’ form, coupled with Morgan’s retirement, has seen him force his way back into the thoughts of the selectors.
“I think I’ve changed,” added Hales, who will take part in England’s tour of Pakistan which begins on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports. “I’ve definitely matured. I’m comfortably in my 30s now and becoming a veteran.
“I feel like I’ve grown as a person and where I am right now on the field and off the field is probably the best of my career so far. To get this opportunity again is something I’m very proud of.”
“It was disappointing not being on the team for three years. At the end of the day, it was my fault, right? It was me who did what I did. I just have to put my hands up.”
“You have to look in the mirror and try to improve as a person and learn from your mistakes.”
