Cricket World Cup: no way back for Alex Hales with England

With Jason Roy ruled out of England’s next two Cricket World Cup matches, thoughts have turned to possible replacements if his hamstring injury fails to recover.

Among the names on the list is that of Alex Hales, who was a cornerstone of the team until earlier this season when he was thrown out of the squad after a second failed drugs test.

Eoin Morgan was reluctant to discuss a potential return for the opening batsman. “The captain remains mindful of how any recall – albeit still hypothetical at this stage – would go down in the dressing room,” says The Guardian.

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When asked about Hales England skipper Morgan said: “We would have to assess how that would sit in the changing room and the stigma it would bring with Alex coming back in.”

But according to The Sun the door remains firmly closed.

“Morgan and senior players Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes were instrumental in Hales being kicked out because they felt his behaviour contravened the team mantra of ‘courage, unity and respect’,” says the paper.

“England would look ridiculous if they even contemplated the idea of bringing back Hales, even though he has an impressive record of six one-day international centuries in 70 matches.”

England continue their World Cup campaign today against Afghanistan at Old Trafford (10.30am, live on Sky Sports).

ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures

All matches are live on Sky Sports:

• Tuesday 18 June: England vs. Afghanistan (10.30am)
• Wednesday 19 June: New Zealand vs. South Africa (10.30am)
• Thursday 20 June: Australia vs. Bangladesh (10.30am)
• Friday 21 June: England vs. Sri Lanka (10.30am)
• Saturday 22 June: India vs. Afghanistan (10.30am)
• Sunday 23 June: Pakistan vs. South Africa (10.30am)
• Monday 24 June: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan (10.30am)
• Tuesday 25 June: England vs. Australia (10.30am)
• Wednesday 26 June: New Zealand vs. Pakistan (10.30am)
• Thursday 27 June: West Indies vs. India (10.30am)
• Friday 28 June: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa (10.30am)
• Saturday 29 June: Pakistan vs. Afghanistan (10.30am); New Zealand vs. Australia (1.30pm)
• Sunday 30 June: England vs. India (10.30am)
• See the full fixture list at cricketworldcup.com