English cricketer Alex Hales controversy involves a failed drug test that got him banned for 21 days in 2019 ahead of the World Cup.
Alexander Daniel Hales, also known as Alex Hales, is a right-handed opening batter for Nottinghamshire and the England cricket team.
The English cricketer made his One Day International (ODI) debut against India in August 2014 and his Test debut against South Africa in December 2015.
The 35-year-old is among England’s players in today’s T20 World Cup semifinal win against India at the Adelaide Oval. He scored 86 runs and was not out.
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Alex Hales Controversy: Failed Drug Test And Suspended For 21 Days
Although Alex Hales has much potential, he has not been free of controversies. Before the 2019 50-Over World Cup, Alex was told he was dropped from the squad after he failed a second recreational drug test.
He tested positive for a recreational drug after taking a hair follicle test in April 2019. He was subjected to a ban by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) for 21 days since it was his second violation.
Moreover, he was removed from England’s squad in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and all other teams ahead of the international season.
Matters got worse, and the right-hander pulled out of Nottinghamshire’s Royal London One Day Cup Campaign citing “personal reasons.”
Speaking to the Guardian, Alex said that it was excruciating and his worst nightmare to miss out on the World Cup squad. It was also even more painful to watch the team win without him.
“Obviously, it was brilliant to see the team lifting the cup, but at the same time, it eats at you from inside that you should have been part of it, and you weren’t.” the cricketer said.
Alex Was Involved In Another Controversy In 2017
Alex Hales isn’t new to controversies. In September 2017, Alex and his England teammate Ben Stokes were tried by the Bristol crown court for involving in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol.
Alex and Ben fought with Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale outside the Mbargo nightclub on September 26, 2017. The incident occurred hours after an ODI against the West Indies at the County Ground in the city.
Although the two cricketers were not charged with any criminal offense, their reputations went downhill.
Further, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) charged Alex with a six-match ban and a £17,500 fine. However, four of those games were suspended, so he only served a two-match ban and paid a £10,000 fine.
The English batter later said it was an eye-opener for him and made him realize how much something can escalate from nowhere. He claimed to have learned a lesson the hard way.
Besides, the cricketer was also involved in a racism scandal, for whereby he later apologized. It was for a blackface costume he wore to a 2009 New Year’s Eve Party.
Was Alex Hales Suspened? What Did He Do During The Ban?
Alex Hales did not lose hope despite his non-involvement with the national squad. He continued playing franchise cricket worldwide.
During that time, he represented teams like Rangpur Riders, Durban Heat, Barbados Tridents, Sydney Thunder, Trent Rockets, and Karachi Kings.
Alex also won trophies with Karachi Kings in 2020 and Trent Rockets in 2022, wherein he played a crucial role as an opener.
In the 2020-21 season, he finished as the top scorer in Big Bash League, playing for Sydney Thunder.
Owing to the series of controversies, Alex was shunned by England for three years. However, now he is back from the ‘extremely painful’ exile to compensate for the lost time.
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