Alex Hales follows Rashid in declaring for only limited-overs cricket

By Adam Ellis

Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales has signed a new deal with the county that will see him play no first-class cricket for the next two seasons.

The England international joins Adil Rashid in plotting the same career move, with Yorkshire declaring last week they were in discussions with the leg-spinner over a renegotiated contract for 2018, and has signed a limited-overs cricket until the end of 2019.

As a member of last season’s Notts side which won silverware in the Royal London One-Day Cup and NatWest T20 Blast, director of cricket Mick Newell announced he understood Hales’ decision.

“Alex is entitled to make himself available for whatever format he wants to play, and we respect his decision,” Newell said.

“We are looking forward to Alex being involved again with us for the next two years as he was integral to our success in 50 and 20-over cricket last summer.”

Hales, who missed out on an IPL contract, has not added to his 11 Test caps for England since the 2016 Test against Pakistan at the Oval. His place, however, in Trevor Bayliss’ World Cup plans looks in no doubt, having featured in all five of England’s ODIs against Australia last month.

In speaking of the decision, the 29-year-old kept the focus strictly on his ambitions to replicate last season’s success with his county.

Hales commented: “I’m grateful to the club for extending my deal with them because I love batting at Trent Bridge – it’s my favourite place to play.”

“It was a fantastic year for the Notts Outlaws last year and I believe we can have more success in the future with the players we have at our disposal.”