"ECB and Morgan are ruining his career!" - Twitterati in shock as Alex Hales doesn't make England's squad against Pakistan
Alex Hales has surprisingly not been named in England's new 18-man squad for the ODIs against Pakistan beginning on Thursday. The entire main squad had to be shifted to isolation because three players and four officials from the England camp had tested positive for COVID-19.
At one point, Alex Hales was an inseparable part of England's white-ball revolution under skipper Eoin Morgan after the 2015 World Cup. England became world beaters and Hales was a major part of that team.
Twitter reacts to Alex Hales being overlooked again
Alex Hales was also named in the probables for the 2019 World Cup. But a doping violation propelled the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to drop him from the team and he hasn't played international cricket ever since.
Fans on Twitter were expecting Alex Hales' name when the ECB announced a new squad. But they were shocked to see his name missing, with many believing the board is being unfair with the swashbuckling opener.
Here is what they had to say.
Alex Hales has been a prolific run scorer in T20 leagues around the world. Yet he doesn't find himself in a squad with nine uncapped players. Many believe this is probably the end of his international career.
Star all-rounder Ben Stokes will be leading a highly inexperienced England team in the ODI series as he makes his return from rest. The likes of Dawid Malan will hold the key in batting as he has a bit of experience. James Vince is also making his return to the England team after being a part of the 2019 World Cup squad.
Many players like Lewis Gregory and Will Jacks, who are doing well in the Vitality T20 Blast, have received call-ups. Pakistan will fancy their chances against an England team which is without almost all of its regular stars.