Hales failed to make the cut in England’s revised 18-member squad for the Pakistan ODI series.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has lambasted ECB for ignoring Alex Hales in England’s revised 18-member squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Pakistan.
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ECB on Tuesday (July 6) announced the new-look squad after the initial team was forced to isolate due to three players and four staff testing positive for COVID-19.
The fresh squad featured nine uncapped players but Hales, who has represented England in 11 Tests, 70 ODIs and 60 T20Is, failed to make the cut.
Baffled by the decision, Vaughan took to Twitter and wrote: “So No Alex Hales, that must be the end of his international career then. Find it very sad that someone who made a huge mistake but was punished can’t be given another go, we all mistakes every week! Those that say they don’t are lying.”
Vaughan also found ECB’s decision to isolate all the England players “very strange”.
“Billy Gilmour tests positive & not one Scotland team member or staff has to isolate ... England cricket team members do & the whole squad has to go !?????? VERY VERY Strange times ... I guess we will or should see Alex Hales again though ... #OnOn,” he tweeted.
Last month, England’s white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan had said that doors are still not closed for Alex Hales, before adding that the team management is spoiled when it comes to choices at the top of the order.
Notably, Hales has not featured in England’s squad since testing positive for recreational drugs in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup, resulting in a 'breakdown in trust' between him and the rest of his England teammates.
Since then, the 32-year-old is playing franchise cricket across the globe and is knocking on the doors of selectors with his impressive performances.