Eoin Morgan Reckons Alex Hales' Reintegration Into The National Side Would Take Time
Updated - 28 May 2020, 07:14 PM
Opening batsman Alex Hales has found himself on the sidelines ever since he was axed from England’s 2019 World Cup squad. The selectors decided to wield the axe on him from the original World Cup party due to a failed drug test. Despite that, several teammates, including Eoin Morgan, has supported his inclusion back in the setup.
Morgan, the limited-overs skipper, feels that Alex Hales’ reintegration process would take time even when he returns to the fold.
Earlier, fast bowler Chris Woakes came forward and conceded that Hales deserves a second chance. Woakes added that having played alongside him as a youngster, he is a world-class player and is hopeful of having him back. Much earlier, Morgan himself proclaimed that the door is open for him.
Yet, the skipper believes that even when Alex Hales returns to the scheme of things, it will take time for him to win back the trust. Eoin Morgan added by saying that the incident happening during on the cusp of the World Cup was dramatic and heartbreaking. Hence, like life in general, only time can heal the wounds.
“Alex is in a unique position, probably a position that nobody else has found themselves in before. 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. I’ve certainly spoken to Alex, and certainly see an avenue for him to coming back to playing cricket. But like in life and in any sport, I think when there’s a breakdown of trust, the only healer in that is time.” Morgan said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
Alex Hales is a fantastic player: Eoin Morgan
The 33-year old further said that Hales’ abilities have never come under question and heaped praises for his skills. However, the fact that the 31-year old violated some disciplinary rules that held the potential to make their World Cup campaign unsuccessful, it would indeed take more time for his reintegration.
“It’s obviously not about performance with Alex. Alex is a fantastic player. That’s never been discussed whether he’s good enough to be in the squad or not. Playing cricket for England is about on and off-the-field values that we adhere to, or do our best to adhere to, and Alex showed complete disregard for them. If he can build them up that for as long as he can, then hopefully an opportunity will present itself down the line. But I think, given that it could have derailed a World Cup campaign, it might take some more time.”
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