Ferguson: Hales is making a storm

SYDNEY Thunder skipper Callum Ferguson has given England’s cricket hierarchy food for thought, vouching for “class act” Alex Hales’s character and BBL impact.

Hales struck an unbeaten 63 off 39 on Monday night against the Strikers, three days after his stunning century against the Sixers, to seal a finals slot for the Thunder.

Hales’s unbroken 116-run stand with Ferguson was the latest instalment in a season featuring a league-high 535 runs at 41.5 and record 30 sixes.

“You just try and start recording mentally in your head what you saw. He is just a class act. We were really keen to get him across a couple of years ago,” said Ferguson of Hales, who made 576 runs for the Thunder last season.

It appeared Sydney Thunder was taking a punt on an opener who was shunned from England’s limited overs set before the 2019 World Cup.

After off-field partying and an incident involving superstar Ben Stokes, England captain Eoin Morgan reportedly said Hales had to win back the trust of the dressing-room.

As England ponders its T20 squad to face India next month, Ferguson said Hales – with 60 T20 internationals for England – was a valuable presence within the Thunder unit.

“We knew he was a good character, obviously had a rough trot leading into that and was keen to prove a point, prove a lot of people wrong over the last two years for us, and some,” Ferguson said.

“It is great for our young players to see a guy play great conventional shots and put bowlers under pressure.”

The Thunder rebounded from a disappointing loss to Adelaide on Sunday with a nine-wicket win on Monday, fuelled by strong top-order batting and improved bowling.