Charismatic After playing a key role in the Jos Buttler-led team's title victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, England opener Alex Hales wants to concentrate solely on T20 cricket and has made it clear he is not particularly interested in participating in the team's campaign in the 50-over World Cup in India next year.
Hales and Buttler thrashed India in the semifinal to set up a title match with Pakistan, making the pursuit of 169 look easy. Hales ended the game on an unbeaten 86 from 47 balls, while Buttler finished with 80 not out from 49 balls. The trophy was then won by England after it defeated Pakistan in the MCG final.
Hales triumphantly returned to T20I cricket after serving a three-and-a-half-year suspension for using recreational drugs.
Hales stated that T20 cricket is his main priority, even at events like the ILT20 in the UAE, where he would be sporting the Desert Vipers jersey.
According to Hales, "I think for the time being my focus lies purely on T20 cricket," thenationalnews.com quoted him as saying.
"I've improved incredibly quickly in this format over the past three years. I believe I will limit my attention to T20 cricket for the time being and possibly give (50-over cricket) some thought. Even though the World Cup will be held in India the following summer, I'm currently concentrating on this competition and the T20 franchise circuit. You must wait to see what the future brings because you can never be sure."
After his outstanding performance against India in the semifinal at Adelaide, Hales stated that he did not believe he would be able to participate in another World Cup following the drug offence in 2019. He claims to be still enjoying England's victory right now.
Playing in the World Cup is a rare sensation; I never thought I'd get the chance to do it again, said Hales. "I anticipate continuing to ride that wave for some time. No, it hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm hoping to bring that form into this competition."