No place for Hales in squad for ODIs

ALEX Hales remains in the England wilderness after national selector Ed Smith backed limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan’s decision to freeze out the big-hitting batsman.

Nottinghamshire’s Hales, below, has six hundreds and averages nearly 38 in 70 one-day internationals, but has not been selected since his axing from the squad on the eve of last year’s Cricket World Cup after failing a second test for recreational drugs.

Morgan explained in May that “more time” is needed before Hales is integrated, so it was little surprise he was not included in a 24-strong group to prepare for three ODIs against Ireland.

“I have nothing to add to what Eoin Morgan has said about Alex,”

Smith said on Sky Sports. “We know how good a player he is, we know where he stands. Eoin’s been very clear about his comments, we support that and that’s the situation we’re in.”

Just eight members of England’s World Cup-winning squad have been included for the series against Ireland, which will take place between July 30 and August 4 behind closed doors at the Ageas Bowl. With Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan either side of that window, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are among the notable absentees from the ODI set-up.

Somerset players Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory are included.