ICC T20 WC 2022: "We Both Have The Same Aim Of Winning World Cups": Ben Stokes Dismisses Bad Blood With Alex Hales

Updated - 08 Sep 2022, 04:54 PM

Ben Stokes ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Ben Stokes (Getty Images)

Ben Stokes, an all-rounder for England, was happy to see Alex Hales rejoin the team after a more than a three-year sabbatical. Due to a disciplinary situation in 2017, where they got into a street fight in Bristol following an ODI match against the West Indies, the two currently have a tense relationship.

Following an investigation, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued penalties to both cricket players.

Alex Hales
Alex Hales (Image Credit: Twitter)

Due to Bairstow’s injury, which prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup and the upcoming tour of Pakistan, England was forced to choose a substitute to fill the vacancy at the top of the order. Along with Jason Roy, Alex Hales was one of the players who was initially passed over for the team.

Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales (Image Credits: Twitter)
Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales (Image Credits: Twitter)

The decision to reinstate Hales into the lineup was made plain by England’s managing director Rob Key and white-ball coach Matthew Mott after Eoin Morgan retires from international cricket.

His last outing for the national team was in 2019 before he received a 21-day suspension for the use of a recreational drug before the ODI World Cup.

Alex is one of the best T20 players in the world: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes told media before the third Test against South Africa that his and Hales’ primary ambition is to win the T20 World Cup for England.

“At the end of the day, I think everyone’s ambition is to win the World Cup for England.” My aim, Alex’s objective, and the goal of everyone else on that team are to win the World Cup.”

Alex Hales
Alex Hales. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ben Stokes described the London-born batsman as one of the best batsmen in the game’s shortest version, saying:

“And it is an injury that gives someone else a chance. Alex is without a doubt one of the top T20 players in the world. And, regrettably, because of what happened with Jonny, we had to bring another player up, and we all know Alex is one of those individuals who bowlers just do not want to bowl at in the T20 format.”

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