Alex Hales, who had been absent for three and a half years, felt as though he was marking his England debut once more when he led the team to a win over Pakistan in the opening Twenty20 of the series.
Alex Hales Opens up on joining T20 Squad Again
Tuesday marked Hales’ first appearance in England’s uniform since his 2019 Cricket World Cup absence due to his second failed test for recreational substances. As England beat their 159-run goal with four balls remaining, he scored 53 runs off of 40 balls. “After three years, there were always tensions and nerves returning. Three years seemed to drag on forever, according to Hales. It was like my debut all over again.
Following Jonny Bairstow’s bizarre injury while playing golf and subsequent exclusion from the major competition, Hales entered England’s preparations for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
Hales had a difficult time starting up in the opening six overs of the batting powerplay, but he found his groove after being missed twice in his twenties. Hales reached his half-century off of 39 balls with a swipe against bowlers Haris Rauf to a fine leg boundary.
At the tail end of the run chase, Hales and Harry Brook overpowered the Pakistan fast bowlers with a few slick boundaries. He explained that the innings grow more fluid the deeper you go. The game was won with Harry after I put a few boundaries away in the closing stages. Hales played a significant role in domestic T20 tournaments all over the world, including time spent in the Pakistan Super League, when he was banned from playing for Great Britain.
When England played Pakistan for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday, the stadium was almost full to its 34,000 limit. It’s really wonderful, remarked Hales, who has had the good fortune to perform here in front of packed houses before. The supporters put on a great show, and it’s one of the best venues in the world to play cricket. With the same setting, the next T20 is on Thursday.
