England opener Alex Hales dropped from World Cup squad after drug test

Alex Hales says he’s ‘devastated’ at being axed from England’s provisional World Cup squad as his management company claimed the batsman was given assurances that would not be the case.

FILE — In this Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 file photo, England's Alex Hales leaves the field after his dismissal during the fourth One Day International cricket match against West Indies at the National Stadium in St. George's, Grenada. Hales will not play in the upcoming Cricket World Cup after being removed from all of England's squads for the international season. The England and Wales Cricket Board says the decision was based on "creating the right environment within the team and ensuring that there are no unnecessary distractions." Hales has recently been suspended for an undisclosed off-the-field incident. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)

England’s Alex Hales says he’s “devastated” at being axed from England’s provisional World Cup squad as his management company claimed the batsman was given assurances that would not be the case.

Hales was included in the preliminary 15-man party but last week’s revelation that he had been suspended for an off-field incident not related to cricket put his involvement in considerable doubt.

England say they have “considered what is in the best interests of the team...to ensure they are free from any distractions” in dropping Hales from all squads ahead of the international season.

Alex Hales will not play in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.

The 30-year-old is therefore set to miss the one-off one-day international against Ireland and the limited-overs series against Pakistan which follows, as well as the World Cup campaign.

However, Hales’ representatives said in a statement it is “hugely disappointed” by the decision to cast him aside.

A statement said: “We are hugely disappointed at the treatment of our client, Alex Hales, by the ECB following his ejection from England’s preliminary World Cup squad.

“Nobody is seeking to excuse Alex’s behaviour in this instance. He absolutely acknowledges and recognises he made a huge mistake.

“But as part of the ongoing process, both he and his representatives have been involved in many conversations with senior members of the ECB over the past few weeks where Alex has apologised profusely for his actions.

“The ECB insisted on Alex taking certain rehabilitation measures following his suspension. In line with both the ECB and PCA guidelines, those measures must remain confidential.

Alex Hales was apparently given assurances that he would play in the Cup.

“However, at every stage, Alex fulfilled his obligations and both he and his representatives were given assurances that any suspension - again under the ECB’s guidelines - could not affect his selection for the World Cup.

“It is unfortunate that a confidential matter made it to the public arena but even before the publication of the story, Alex had again spoken to key members of the England organisation to express his regret and contrition.

“At that time, he again took away the message his World Cup place would be judged on playing merit.

“The fact all those assurances seem to have been rendered meaningless has understandably left Alex devastated.”

Hales, with 2419 runs in 70 ODIs at an average of 37.79 and six centuries, was thought of by many as an enviable back-up option in an England batting line-up laden with big-hitting talent.

Now, though, he faces missing a monumental summer for England as they look to win a 50-over global trophy for the first time.