Alex Hales, a batsman for England, has left international cricket.
Alex Hales announces retirement: Hales, 34, played 156 times in three different formats for England, making 5,066 runs while winning the men’s T20 World Cup in November.
In the five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final in Melbourne, he made his final appearance for his nation.
Hales said it had been “an absolute privilege” to represent England and that he would continue to play for Nottinghamshire and T20 teams.
“I’ve made some memories and some friendships to last a lifetime, and I feel that now is the right time to move on,” he wrote on Instagram.
Hales is currently competing for Trent Rockets in The Hundred, and it is anticipated that he will continue to play frequently in T20 tournaments like the Pakistan Super League and Australia’s Big Bash League.
Hales, a short-form expert, was an important element of England’s ODI team. He smashed a six against Australia at Trent Bridge, helping them set a new record for the highest ODI score in 2018.
Between 2015 and 2016, he amassed 2,419 runs in 70 one-day internationals and 573 in 11 tests.
His tenure with England was not without controversy, though.
“Alex Hales Announces Retirement from International Cricket: A Journey of Highs and Lows”
“The England and Wales Cricket Board charged Hales and his teammate Ben Stokes following their involvement in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, which resulted in Hales’ subsequent suspension.”
He reportedly failed a recreational drug test two years later, which resulted in his expulsion from England’s World Cup squad. He then served a 21-day suspension.
His three-year exile came to an end in September 2022 when Jonny Bairstow got hurt and he was called up to fill in.
He continued, “I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows during my time wearing an England shirt.
“It’s been a remarkable trip, and I’m really happy that my final match for England was a World Cup victory.
“Despite my ups and downs, I have always felt a tremendous amount of support from my friends, family, and unquestionably the best cricket fans in the world.
“I look forward to playing for Notts in the future and taking part in more franchise cricket abroad.”
Before defending their World Cup championship in the West Indies and the USA in June of next year, England will play a T20 series against New Zealand starting on August 30.
Hales’ retirement opens up the opportunity for Phil Salt, a Lancashire opener who has played in 16 T20 matches, 14 ODIs, and was also a member of the team that won the World Cup last year, to get the chance to open the batting.
Will Smeed, a 21-year-old opener for Somerset who recently received accolades from World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, may also get a chance.