After Stuart Broad, another England superstar announces his retirement from International cricket

The swashbuckling batter represented England in 156 Internationals.

After Stuart Broad, another England superstar announces his retirement from International cricket

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales (Image via Cricket Addictor)

After England Test veteran Stuart Broad, England’s white-ball superstar Alex Hales announced his retirement from International cricket on Friday (4 August). As Hales features in T20 leagues across the globe and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is still not sure about giving him a regular place in the playing XI, the swashbuckling batter has decided to hang his boots. 

Alex Hales represented England in 70 ODIs and 75 T20Is, amassing 4493 runs. While Hales averaged 37.79 in the 50-over format, the opening batter ends his T20I career with an average of 30.95. The right-handed opening batter played a key role in England’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2022.

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“It has been an absolute privilege to have represented my country on 156 occasions across all three formats,” Hales said in a statement seen by ESPNcricinfo before publication. “l’ve made some memories and some friendships to last a lifetime and I feel that now is the right time to move on.

“Throughout my time in an England shirt I’ve experienced some of the highest highs as well as some of the lowest lows. It’s been an incredible journey and I feel very content that my last game for England was winning a World Cup final.”

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Alex Hales made a befitting comeback before bidding goodbye

Alex Hales
Alex Hales (Image via ECB)

Alex Hales has had a hot and cold cricketing career. While he was a regular in England’s white-ball setup, Hales had to sit out due to failing a drug test. He could not take part in the 2019 World Cup and was called not so trustworthy. However, Hales’ exploits in different leagues across the globe saw him surprisingly return to England’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The move eventually paid off as Hales played a crucial role in England lifting the trophy. The batter paired up with Jos Buttler at the top of the order and scored runs at a quick rate. Hales’ best inning at the 2022 T20 World Cup came against India in the semifinals when the opening batter smashed an unbeaten 86 and saw his side home.

After England’s World Cup win, Hales disappeared again and now returned only to announce that he won’t be coming back. Although Hales was not in contention to make it into England’s squad for the ODI World Cup, he surely could travel to the Caribbean and the USA for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

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