Alex Hales signs white-ball contract with Notts

Nottinghamshire batsman has followed Adil Rashid in abandoning red-ball cricket

^{Hales will not play red-ball cricket for his county}

Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales has signed a white-ball contract with his county until the end of the 2019 season.

Notts' Director of Cricket Mick Newell said of the matter: “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. 

“Alex is entitled to make himself available for whatever format he wants to play, and we respect his decision. He’s an outstanding white ball player and we look forward to him helping us win more trophies in that format of the game.”

Hales himself added: “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."

Hales' decision comes less than a week after Adil Rashid announced that he had signed a white-ball only contract for Yorkshire.

^{Hales hit a record-breaking 187* as Notts beat Surrey in the One-Day Cup final at Lord's}

Rashid has seemingly called an end to his first-class career after signing a one-year contract with Yorkshire to play only 50 and 20-over cricket.

A statement for Yorkshire CCC read: “The Club remain firmly in favour of Rashid continuing to play red-ball cricket for the county, but respect his desire and we are in the process of renegotiating a contract which reflects his decision to solely play white ball cricket.”

Director of cricket, Martyn Moxon said: “He contacted me recently and explained that he wanted to focus solely on white-ball cricket and concentrate on becoming the best white-ball cricketer he could possibly be.

“From my point of view it’s disappointing because I think Adil has got the ability to play in all three formats of the game, not only at county level, but also at international level. It is Adil’s decision and we have to respect that.

“It’s for this season coming and to see how it goes,” said Rashid.

“At this moment in time in my career, I just feel that white-ball cricket is where I am best, enjoying it most and where I feel I can develop and offer a lot more.

“That was my main thought process. It’s not me saying I’m finished from red ball, it’s just me saying that this summer I’m going to concentrate on white ball and see where that takes me.

“It wasn’t any easy decision to make but it’s something I felt I had to do."

^{Hales follows Rashid in decision not to play only white-ball cricket}