Alex Hales accused English cricket authorities of going back on their word after the batsman was removed from the host country’s squad for the Cricket World Cup on Monday for undisclosed off-field reasons. However, the ECB has deprived Hales of what might have been the highlight of his career — a World Cup on home soil. As a result of his first suspension, Hales — one of the world’s most explosive ODI batsmen — lost his place in England’s ODI side, with Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow the new opening partnership. Hales was set to be a back-up at the World Cup, which starts on May 30, but might have forced his way into the team. Before the World Cup, England plays a one-off ODI against Ireland and a series against Pakistan.

Source: National Post April 29, 2019 09:17 UTC