The 33-year-old has not played for England since failing a recreational drug test on the eve of the 2019 Cricket World Cup
Rob Key has offered Alex Hales a glimmer of hope that his international career may not be over, stating he would have the Nottinghamshire batter available for selection.
However, speaking at Lord’s earlier in the week, the new ECB managing director added that whether Hales gets in the team, especially given the plethora of top-order options, is a different question.
England white-ball skipper, Eoin Morgan, offered a similar assessment last summer: "We’re spoilt with riches at the top of the order and the longer you spend out of the side, the further away you get from that position you had."
Hales hasn’t played for England since failing a recreational drug test on the eve of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, losing his place to James Vince and the trust of senior England players. He also served a 21-day ban.
Hales made his final England appearance in March 2019 against West Indies [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]
The 33-year-old has made 141 appearances for England in all formats, scoring 2,419 runs in 70 ODIs and 1,644 runs at a strike rate of 136.65 in 60 T20Is.
"I will have to speak to the people involved in that decision, but I would have Alex Hales available for selection," Key said.
"I think he has done his time. But does that mean he gets in the team? That’s a different debate."
Hales is the second player to be offered an international lifeline by Key, with the former Kent skipper stating he can "see no reason why not" to select Hales’ Nottinghamshire teammate Joe Clarke. The 25-year-old has been out of contention for international selection since 2019 following his involvement in the trail of Alex Hepburn.
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