Smith nudges door ajar for Hales return

ENGLAND outcast Alex Hales could be offered an olive branch by the national side for the first time in two years after national selector Ed Smith signalled a softening in approach to the batsman.

Hales has not played for his country since being ejected from the squad on the eve of the 2019 World Cup, with captain Eoin Morgan saying the 32-year-old had lost the trust of his teammates following a failed drug test.

There has been no thawing in relations in the intervening time but, although Hales was again overlooked for the 16-strong group that will take on India in five T20s in Ahmedabad next month, there was a suggestion from Smith that things could soon change.

With Hales’ form easily good enough to warrant attention, having just finished as the top scorer in Australia’s Big Bash, a partial return to the fold is being pondered in the coming months.

Asked directly about Hales, pictured, Smith said: “It’s coming up on two years. In the English summer we’ll look at inviting some people to training in the run-up to series as we look to extend and expand our squad.

“We’re always looking at ways to consider getting players who aren’t currently in the squad to come along to training days, perhaps in the run-up to a series.

“We’re very aware of everything players do in franchise cricket around the world and I think that is something we will discuss, with what’s best for England cricket.”

Morgan, in his position as a World Cup-winning captain, has been characterised as the main blockade to a Hales recall and Smith would not be drawn on whether that remained the case.

Liam Livingstone has earned a recall following his productive time at the BBL with Perth Scorchers, but Test captain Joe Root has once again been left out.

James Vince also waits for another chance despite being the BBL’s second-top run-scorer.

T20 squad: E Morgan (capt) M Ali, J Archer, J Bairstow, S Billings, J Buttler (wkt), S Curran, T Curran, C Jordan, L Livingstone, D Malan, A Rashid, J Roy, B Stokes, R Topley, M Wood.