It was an incredibly tough time – Hales reflects and regrets

Alex Hales, the swashbuckling England batsman, remains hopeful of an international comeback after topping the charts as the leading run-scorer in T20s since May 2019. The 31 year-old also admitted to being ‘mentally exhausted’ post the exclusion from England’s World Cup squad last year.

“I am always going to have a part of me that thinks I should have been part of that (World Cup squad) if I hadn’t made a few errors in my personal life,” Hales revealed in an interview with Sportsmail. “I just hope the damage that’s been done isn’t terminal and I get another bite of the cherry,” he added.

Hales was dropped from all England squads, including the World Cup, after failing a second ECB recreational drugs test ahead of the international summer last year. The dashing opening batsman though turned the tide by proving his consistency in T20 tournaments all around the globe in the last 12 months.

“I feel on top of everything and the chapter of Bristol and its aftermath is firmly closed now. I am just looking forward to enjoying the next few years of my career and, more importantly, my life, and just see where it takes me”

The Notts batsman confessed “It’s the best I’ve played in my career”.

“My England career has been pretty good so far in T20 and that’s not even playing to the best of my ability. I’d love to get that chance again. I’ve moved on and grown from the mistakes I’ve made in my private life and hopefully people can forgive and forget. Hopefully I get that chance again because I feel I’m in a good head space,” he further added.

Hales also revealed that he’s moved his house ‘from the crowded areas of Nottingham and being in the middle of nowhere, with peace and quiet, ten miles north of Trent Bridge. “I’ve really enjoyed just being away from the crowded areas of Nottingham and being in the middle of nowhere, with peace and quiet. For the first time in maybe three years, in the last few months I’ve been in a great place with my cricket and my private life. It’s been a breath of fresh air, being out of the public eye and all of the scrutiny that came with it.”

Whilst reflecting on his exile from the World Cup squad, Hales noted that “Initially it was tough, but I don’t find it tough to watch back now. It’s something the whole country should be proud of. The game of cricket in this country is a lot bigger than my feelings ”

“But at the same time, you look back on what the guys achieved and it’s nothing short of what they deserve. The determination, hard work and talent in that team was incredibly special. Obviously, it’s gutting to not get the final showcase at the World Cup, but to be a part of that for three or four years, I am very proud of that,” he clarified.

Hales also credited that ‘stepping away from red-ball cricket helped his longevity in the shortest form of the game.” If you speak to any coach I’ve played under in the last 12 months, I feel I’ve matured as a player. I try to offer as much leadership as possible. Only playing T20 will probably help my longevity. I used to have back issues, but since I’ve stepped away from the longer format, that is no longer a problem. I’d like to play into my late 30s if I can keep my level of performance and desire.”

Not too long ago, England’s white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan mentioned that ‘Alex Hales can return to the international fold if he gains back the trust of the management and players’. When you are playing in these T20 tournaments, there are so many around the world, you need to enjoy your time off. It is precious and short-lived. I’d only had a week or two off since mid-July last year, so I was ready for some down time – but now I am itching to get back out there ,” he concluded.