Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THIS IS NOT ABOUT MY REDEMPTION
Hales has made an incredible journey from outcast to hero but he says: I don’t think about stuff like that.. I’m playing with a smile on my face in an England shirt again... that is special
ALEX HALES insists a 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 even got here to a T20 World Cup final if he was not able to park the past and move on with his life?
Regardless of the selfinflicted nature of the episode, to be axed from the 2019 World Cup squad on the eve of what would be a winning campaign for a recreational drugs ban was a devastating experience.
To think that your one chance of glory had gone and that England honours may never return again due to ‘trust’ issues is a deep hole to climb out of. Climb he did and through a combination of strong consistent domestic tournament form, a change of captain, a last-minute injury to Jonny Bairstow, and a glowing reference from former coach Trevor Bayliss, the stars aligned.
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 him a shot at a medal.
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 final.
Asked whether his three years out of the side was worth it after reaching the
final, Hales chuckled: “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’m playing the best T20 cricket of my career is a great feeling. I’m keen to make the most of this chance.
“I do not think it is about redemption, no.
That’s not what’s on my mind, I’m just enjoying my cricket and being back in an England shirt.
“It’s not why I play the game for stuff like that, I just want to enjoy myself and play at the highest level and it would be the icing on the cake to leave with a medal.
“I’m just playing with a smile on my face in an England shirt again, it is a very special feeling.”
Hales made a brilliant 86, and Buttler 80, as England beat India in the semi-final without losing a wicket with their record-breaking 170 partnership.
Regardless of the result in tomorrow’s final with Pakistan here at the MCG, the ride is far from over for Hales who has been backed to make a return to England’s ODI squad and make an impact at the next 50-over World Cup in India next year.
Head coach Matthew Mott (left with assistant Paul Collingwood) said. “Alex has 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. And it’s great to know he’s very keen to do that.
“We’ve got some tough selections coming up. But I’m sure if he keeps in this rich vein of form he’ll be hard to keep out.”
Mark Wood and Dawid Malan appear unlikely to return for the final with Chris Jordan (below, left) and Phil Salt set to deputise again.
“It is a short turnaround again with a travel day and then straight into it,” added Mott. “It is disappointing for the guys who miss out.”