Alex Hales blasted 86 off 47 balls to fire England into the T20 World Cup final, having only been picked in the squad as an injury replacement after spending almost three years in international exile
Alex Hales produced what he described as a “perfect innings” to guide England into the T20 World Cup final, having admitted he “never thought I’d play in a World Cup again”.
Hales was drafted into England’s squad as an injury replacement for Jonny Bairstow, ending an international exile which lasted almost three years after he failed a second recreational drugs test on the eve of the 2019 50-over World Cup.
And after a lacklustre start to the tournament with scores of 19 and seven against Afghanistan and Ireland, Hales has now come to the fore in three must-win games for England. He struck 52 and 47 in their final two Super 12 clashes against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, before producing a masterclass in the stunning semi-final victory over India.
He shared an incredible unbeaten 170-run opening partnership with captain Jos Buttler and was rightly named player of the match. “I never thought I’d play in a World Cup again so this is so special,” Hales admitted after the game.