England batsman Alex Hales whose World Cup place is now under scrutiny after failing an ECB recreational drugs policy for a second time in his career, is serving a 21-day ban from cricket.
Despite being named in England’s preliminary World Cup squad
last week, Hales, 30, was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Hales has missed the start of Nottinghamshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign and according to the club “made himself unavailable for selection for personal reasons.”
The opener is still expected to attend England’s training
camp in Cardiff this weekend.
However, trouble seems to be shadowing him after having been
suspended and fined by England last year for his involvement alongside Ben
Stokes in a street match outside a Bristol nightclub in September 2017.
All professional men’s cricketers in England and
Wales and centrally contracted women’s players are subject to hair follicle
tests at the start and end of every season that can detect substances in the
system for up to three months.
A first offence is dealt with privately; a second violation
has further consequences, invoking a three-week ban and a fine totalling 5% of
the player’s annual salary.
If a third positive test occurs, a 12-month ban can
be triggered allowing the ECB or county to cancel a player’s contract and
director of England cricket, Ashley Giles would have received news of his
centrally contracted player.
Players are suspended from the date they receive
written confirmation of a positive result and it is yet to be established when
exactly Hales received notice of his second violation.
It is believed he will have served his 21 days prior
to England’s opening fixture of the summer against Ireland in Dublin on 3 May.
Having lost his place following the Bristol
nightclub incident in September 2017, Hales has spent the last 18 months as the
first reserve batsman.
He would have been expected to feature in the Ireland
game next week with key players including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben
Stokes and Moeen Ali all rested especially with the injury list growing by the
day for England, Jason Roy (back spasm) currently rested by Surrey.
Alex Hales, the
ECB, PCA and Nottinghamshire Cricket Club are yet to comment.
Whether this latest misdemeanor affects his chances of featuring in the World Cup remains to be seen as selectors have until 23 May to confirm their final squad.
Nevertheless this news is the last thing for England, the ICC number 1 ranked ODI side need, so close to their opening match against South Africa on 30 May at the Oval.
JOTI KAUR
