"Door not closed" on Alex Hales despite England central contract snub

The Nottinghamshire batsman, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Joe Clarke are all available for selection despite their off-the-field misdemeanours

Alex Hales has been offered a route back into the England fold despite being overlooked for a white-ball contract for the upcoming international season.

The 30-year-old was banned for 21 days for recreational drug use and ditched from England's World Cup squad as a result.

Hales has been in impressive form during Nottinghamshire's run to T20 Blast Finals Day, scoring 366 runs in 11 innings at an average of 36.60. 

He was a key figure in the England 50-over team prior to their World Cup success having been a central figure of their four-year build-up to the tournament. However, he was omitted from the 12-man list of players who have won limited-overs deals for the 2019-20 season - an indication he might not be part of England's plans for the upcoming period.

Fellow Notts teammate Joe Clark and Yorkshire's Tom Kohler-Cadmore have also served periods of ineligibility after being charged with bringing the game into disrepute in July.

^{Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Joe Clark has been blacklisted from England selection}

Giles says the trio are all available for their country but concedes that the dynamic of the dressing room will always come first.

"The door is not closed on Alex or any of those guys," he said. "They've served whatever time they've had to serve. 

"It will come down to performance and there is always an element with these things the culture and team cohesion. 

"In the summer Eoin talked about an element of trust and has there been enough time to make up for that? Maybe, maybe not. That will be down to the selectors. He (Hales) is a fantastic T20 player and a mistake should not haunt you for life."

Disappointed is an understatement

— Liam plunkett (@Liam628) September 20, 2019

The door also remains open for Liam Plunkett, despite the Surrey seamer also being overlooked for a white-ball deal.

Though the 34-year-old took three wickets in the World Cup final against New Zealand he is unlikely to figure at next year's World T20 or the defence of the 50-over crown in four years time.

"Moving into a new cycle of four years before the next 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup as well in between he probably didn't fit those future needs for 12-24 months," added Giles.

"Just in terms of the core of that team, which is where those contracts are offered, he probably just misses out. His best was a few months ago in that World Cup final. He should be really proud of that team but everything has to move on at some stage."

^{Joe Denly scored three half-centuries during the Ashes}

Despite playing the last eight straight Tests and offering a degree of stability at the top of a troubled England top order, Joe Denly has been overlooked for a red ball deal.

The Kent batsman has however been included in the white ball roster which according to Giles is with a view to him being involved in next year's World Cup in Australia.

"We feel Joe Denly could play a big part in our T20 squad going forward," he added. "He could have got a red ball contact. We've got 10 reds, 12 white-ball. It gives us a bit more flexibility as well.

"I am delighted we could offer him a contract because what he and Rory have shown this year is the mental capacity to play, a lot of guts and determination. Someone like Rory has adapted his game in the middle of an Ashes series."