Alex Hales Shouldn't Be Anywhere Near The WC Squad: Michael Vaughan

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has lashed out at Alex Hales after the latter was banned from cricket for 21 days for recreational drug use. While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not given an official update on the issue, a spokesperson from the board confirmed that Hales is serving a suspension following an off-field incident not related to cricket. Hales was recently named in England’s 15-man provisional World Cup squad. According to media reports, he is likely to join his teammates for the preparatory camp, starting from Saturday.

According to a report in the Guardian, Hales is currently serving a 21-day ban after returning a second positive test. Last week, the right-handed batsman had pulled out of Nottinghamshire’s Royal London Cup campaign, shortly after the World Cup squad was announced. At that time, the county had announced that Hales took an indefinite break due to undisclosed personal reasons.

The drugs violation is understood to have been detected after Hales underwent a routine hair-follicle test, which all professional men’s cricketers and centrally contracted women’s players undergo at the start and finish of every season.  When a player commits the mistake for the first time, they receive advise and support with very few people being notified.

A second violation can invoke a three-week ban and a 5 percent fine of the player’s annual salary. A third offence can lead to termination of domestic and national contracts. Such a setback just ahead of the World Cup can be a big blow for Hales.  However, Michael Vaughan is not at all sympathetic with the opener as he said that the batsman should not be a part of the World Cup.

“No sympathy what’s so ever for Alex Hales … 2nd time he has failed a recreational drugs Test !!!!!!!!!!! Should not be anywhere near the WC squad imo …” tweeted Michael Vaughan.

No sympathy what’s so ever for Alex Hales … 2nd time he has failed a recreational drugs Test !!!!!!!!!!! Should not be anywhere near the WC squad imo …

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 26, 2019