England's Hales replaces Samuels at Renegades

SYDNEY (AFP) –

England batsman Alex Hales leaves the field during a Twenty20 match against the West Indies in England on June 24, 2012. He was rushed into Australia’s Melbourne Renegades team Tuesday to replace injured West Indian Marlon Samuels, who has a suspected fracture of the eye socket.

England batsman Alex Hales was rushed into Australia’s Melbourne Renegades team Tuesday to replace injured West Indian Marlon Samuels, who has a suspected fracture of the eye socket.

Hales, 24, will join the Renegades for this week’s last group stage match in the domestic Big Bash League as well as the finals series.

“It’s extremely disappointing to lose Marlon in these circumstances and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery,” said Renegades coach Simon Helmot.

“The team is now focusing on our Sydney road trip and Alex will be a big part of that as we continue preparations for the business end of the season,” he added.

Hales has an average of 34.83 with a strike rate of 127.43 for England in T20 internationals, posting scores of 56 and 42 in his most recent games against India last month.

Samuels’s injury, sustained when he top-edged a Lasith Malinga delivery into his eye, followed a tense confrontation with Shane Warne during the Renegades’ clash with city rivals the Melbourne Stars on Sunday.

Warne, captaining the Stars, was furious that Samuels pulled back David Hussey when the batsman was turning for a second run and later swore at him before throwing the ball at his chest. Samuels retaliated by tossing his bat.

Both players were charged by Cricket Australia with multiple breaches of its code of behaviour. Warne was found guilty of three of four offences and was fined Aus$4,500 (US$4,700) and banned him for a game.

Samuels’s charges are yet to be decided due to his injury.