Alex Hales re-signs for Sydney Thunder in Big Bash League
England batsman Alex Hales will rejoin the Sydney Thunder for the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League in Australia.
Hales was with the Thunder for the 201-20. He was the franchise’s leading run-scorer in that season. His 576 runs in 17 innings came at an average of 38.40 and strike rate of 146.93.
“To get the chance to come back is exciting because we’re at the start of something. I think the next two to three years is going to be very special for Sydney Thunder as a franchise. I really believe that, and to know I’m coming back to that means a lot,” said Hales.
The hard-hitting Hales has played in several domestic T20 leagues around the world. He was with Islamabad United and Karachi Kings for the Pakistan Super League, Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. He has also played for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL.
Thunder pleased to have Hales back
“There’s a whole range of reasons to be excited about Alex extending his contract – and they’re exactly why we signed him in the first place. He is a great player who is available for the entire tournament,” added Thunder coach Shane Bond.
“He played brilliantly for us last year, but he was brilliant on-and-off the field. He was hugely popular with the players and support staff – and that’s how Alex is viewed wherever he plays.
“We have some very talented players in our squad, and it is important to have those professionals, like Alex, around so they can learn off them as well. Everyone in the team is looking forward to having him back, he’s a brilliant bloke.”
Why Hales missed the 2019 World Cup
Hales has been capped 11, 70 and 60 times at Test, ODI and T20I level, respectively. However, the 31-year-old has not played for England since March 2019. He failed a drugs test two months prior to the World Cup.
“On the cusp of a World Cup, the huge breakdown in trust between him and the players was extremely dramatic, given the circumstances surrounding the four years between World Cups and the build-up, and the way that things unfolded,” said England ODI captain Eoin Morgan at the time.
Hales was part of the Nottinghamshire Outlaws’ title-winning T20 Blast campaign in the United Kingdom recently.
Latest
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.