Repentant Hales has learnt the hard way
ALEX HALES has opened up for the first time since his late-night escapade with Ben Stokes and admitted: ‘I have learnt my lesson’.
The 29-year-old opener has just played his first two games for England since that night in September, when he was out with Stokes in Bristol. All-rounder Stokes (below) was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and subsequently charged with affray.
Hales’ continued involvement is as a witness only, but as a result of helping police with their enquiries he was suspended for two one-day internationals against the West Indies before returning to the white-ball squads in Australia.
He will still have to face a cricket disciplinary commission hearing once Stoke’s criminal case has been heard and resolved, and could face ce further time on the sidelines.
“It’s been a long few w months,” admitted Hales es after scoring a half century in the second ODI win at the Gabba. “But it’s great to be back out there and part t of the squad again. It has been a massively difficult period, but hopefully pefully I can put that stuff in the h past t and d now have my eyes firmly on the future.
“In terms of going out in middle of a series, that is the lesson I have learned there from that incident. That is not going to be happening again.
“It is about being responsible when you are on England duty. You have eyes all over you and that brings responsibility on and off the field.
“That is something I have learned over the last few months and responsibility on and off the field is something that will be coming into my game going forward.
“I am sure Ben will be hurting at missing games. He’s an incredibly proud guy and we are looking forward to welcoming him back in the squad.”
Despite his success, Hales knows he put his international career on the line unnecessarily in Bristol, and by missing the next two games, it gave Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy the chance to open together and do rather well.
“It will make me enjoy my time in an England shirt a hell of a lot more moving forward,” added Hales. “You need to cherish every moment you get on the field. Playing for England is a massive honour, especially with a World Cup coming up at home next year.” LAST man standing Jamie Jones-Buchanan insists Leeds are better placed to deal with the latest legend departures than in their disastrous 2016 campaign.
Veteran Jones-Buchanan, 36, is now the final remaining member of the Rhinos’ drought-ending 2004 Grand Final win, which sparked a club sequence of eight titles in 14 seasons.
When Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai retired after their historic 2015 treble, Leeds suffered badly the following season and missed the top eight.
Iconic
This time iconic playmakers Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire have moved on to leave two more holes in the most successful side of the Super League era.
But JJB – who played in all but one of those eight Old Trafford wins – says the current champions can cope this time.
Jones-Buchanan said: “I’m sure it’s been on [ Leeds boss] Brian McDermott’s radar.
“I always use the example of when we won the Challenge Cup in 2014 and didn’t win another game afterwards.
“We learned from that experience and in 2015 we won the Challenge Cup again, and then managed to win all three.
“That’s what sport is all about, you learn through adversity.
“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in 2016.
“We need to address that a bit better, but when you look around the gym we’ve brought in someone like Richie Myler, who’s an unbelievable organiser.
“I’ve played with him before at international level and played against him many times, but didn’t realise how good an organiser he is.
“Probably as good as anybody that’s played at Leeds actually – I’m looking forward to seeing how that comes over on the field.”
Mentality
Jones- Buchanan will be the second oldest player in Super League this season – he is a week younger than Warrington’s Ben Westwood – but has refused to put a timescale on his own retirement.
He said: “This pre-season I keep thinking it’ll be the last one, because it’s a killer – but I was thinking that when I was 18!
“I feel really good. The engine’s still really good. I have a few sore joints but you could say that about anybody in a rugby league team.
“The mind’s good – a little more organised, a lot more disciplined and educated.
“It does feel like ‘ last man standing’ looking around the gym.
“The young lads are funny, but you can tell they’re from a different generation with a youthful mentality and sense of humour. “It keeps me young as well. “I’ve always said there’s never been anything special about me apart from resilience and determination to keep going – and that’s why I’m probably still here having my 19th team photograph. “I just want to contribute again and be a good part of the team.”