Hales storm Twenty20 contract at risk

Alex Hales is not part of England’s Ashes squad but he will be worried his Twenty20 contract this winter could be put at risk by his involvement in the street fight that has led to him being called in for questioning by police.

Hales (right) was left out of the Ashes squad when it was announced on Wednesday and has not played Test cricket since last year but he is in demand from Twenty20 franchises around the world and has signed with the Stellenbosch Kings.

The statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday only said Hales would not be considered for selection by England. A player’s participation in an overseas tournament is dependent on receiving a nonobjection certificate from their home board. The ECB could withhold this although such a move would be a grey area legally and there are no precedents for this. Any potential criminal investigation could also prevent Hales from travelling abroad. He was told yesterday he will have to attend a Bristol police station to be questioned under caution. Hales missed training with England on Tuesday to travel to Bristol to speak with detectives but it is understood that meeting did not take place.

The video published by shows a man who looks like Hales kicking another individual on the ground. He is later shown trying to act as a peacemaker and is heard telling Ben Stokes to stop shortly before he knocks a man down with a right hook.

Last year Hales hit 171 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, setting a record high score for an England batsman in one-day internationals.