England have hit back at claims by Alex Hales that his axing from the World Cup squad because of a drugs violation was a betrayal. It seems inevitable they will impose stricter punishments after a second violation than the 21-day ban handed out to Hales – a ban unhelpfully described by his county Nottinghamshire as being for 'personal reasons'. That could make cricket more closely aligned with rugby union, where a second drugs violation triggers public disclosure and a six-month ban. Yet it didn't help the ECB's credibility that, until Tuesday, their official website suggested a player's name could in fact be revealed after a second failed test. He will be 34 when the next World Cup begins, in February 2023.

Source: Daily Mail April 30, 2019 16:58 UTC