‘I will have to speak to the people involved’ – Rob Key suggests Alex Hales’ return to England setup

Back in 2019, Alex Hales got himself tangled into a controversy after failing a recreational drug test before the 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director, Rob Key, has backed veteran batter Alex Hales to make a comeback to the national setup. The 33-year-old Hales hasn’t played for the Three Lions ever since his name was withdrawn from the 2019 World Cup at home. The veteran failed a recreational drug test and lost the faith of Eoin Morgan, England’s ODI and T20I skipper.

Last summer, former national selector Ed Smith talked about the idea of letting Hales train with the Brits’ national team. But before his idea could be substantiated, Smith lost his job. Key, also a former England batter, felt that Hales has suffered enough punishment over the last three years.

"I will have to speak to the people involved in that decision but I would have Alex Hales available for selection. I think he has done his time. But does that mean he gets in the team? That is a different debate," Key was quoted as saying.

After being left out of the England team, Hales has played in a number of T20 leagues around the world. The right-handed batter has taken part in the Big Bash League (BBL), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Hales was also set to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Men in Gold and Purple bought him in the mega auction at his base price of INR 1.50 crore.

However, the 33-year-old pulled out of the tournament, citing ‘bubble fatigue’. Thereafter, KKR had to sign Australian limited-overs’ skipper Aaron Finch as a replacement for Hales.

In 11 Tests, 70 ODIs and 60 T20Is, the Middlesex-born Hales has scored 573, 2419 and 1644 runs respectively, with 7 centuries and 27 half-centuries to his name.