Hales: This isn’t about redemption
ALEX HALES insists a T20 World Cup win tomorrow will not complete an incredible cricketing redemption for him – because it is not why he plays the game.
If any other player had made that claim you would be suspicious, but with Hales it seems entirely plausible.
How else would he have got here if he was not able to park the past and move on with his life?
Being axed from the 2019 World Cup squad, on the eve of what would be a winning 50-over campaign, for a recreational drugs ban was devastating.
To think your chance of glory had gone and England honours may never return due to “trust” issues was a deep hole to be in.
But climb Hales did and through consistent domestic form, a change of captain, a late injury to Jonny Bairstow, and a glowing reference from former coach Trevor Bayliss, the stars aligned.
New skipper Jos Buttler put his faith in a player he knew had the ability to thrive under the greatest pressure and together they combined on the biggest stage to earn a shot at a coveted trophy.
And that is all he now wants. Not to prove people wrong, not to redeem himself, but just to play and win a World Cup.
Asked whether his three years out of the side was worth it after reaching the final, Hales laughed as he said: “We’ll see if we win it, I guess.
“To get the chance to play for England again in a time where I feel like I am playing the best T20 cricket of my career is a great feeling.
“I don’t think it is about redemption, no. That’s not what’s on my mind. I’m just enjoying my cricket and enjoying being back in an England shirt.
“It’s not why I play the game for stuff like that – I just want to enjoy myself, play at the highest level and it would be the icing on the cake to leave with a medal.
“I’m playing with a smile on my face in an England shirt again – it is a very special feeling.”
Hales made a brilliant 86 not out – and Buttler an undefeated 80 – as England beat India in the semi-finals thanks to their recordbreaking 170-run partnership.
Regardless of the result against Pakistan, the ride is far from over for Hales, who has been backed to return to the ODI squad and make an impact at the 50-over World Cup in India next year.
Head coach Matthew Mott said: “He’s shown he’s not a slogger of the ball. He’s a proper cricketer and there’s absolutely no reason why he couldn’t get in that 50-over team.”
Paceman Mark Wood and No.3 batsman Dawid Malan appear unlikely to return for the final so Chris Jordan and Phil Salt are set to continue in the side.
Mott added: “There isn’t a lot of time for them. It is disappointing.”