‘Worst feeling in cricket’: Alex Hales cops brutal low blow, ‘smirk’ from $1.8m Aussie quick

Sydney Thunder import Alex Hales suffered the worst feeling in cricket when he copped a brutal low blow in his side’s Big Bash loss.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

December 27, 2023 - 11:08PM

Sydney Thunder import Alex Hales experienced the worst feeling in cricket during Wednesday night’s Big Bash clash against the Brisbane Heat.

In the second over of the Thunder’s run chase at the Gabba, Hales was struck right in the nether regions by a rapid delivery from Heat paceman Spencer Johnson, who was picked up for A$1.78 million in the recent IPL auction.

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Hales immediately doubled over and fell to the ground and was heard screaming out in pain.

Brendon Julian said in commentary on Fox Cricket: “That’s got to hurt. He’s down and out Alex Hales. That’s got to be the worst feeling in cricket.

“You can’t laugh but for some reason you have to. It’s not the best feeling is it.”

Brett Lee quipped: “How’s that for jingle bells.

“It’s the worst feeling in the world. If you’ve got a weak stomach look away.”

Brad Haddin added: “He’s adjusted himself there Alex Hales. He’s not right. Poor man.”

Alex Hales in a spot no cricketer ever wants to be. Photo: Fox Cricket.

Spencer Johnson didn't seem too sorry. Photo: Fox Cricket.

Johnson went to check on Hales but didn’t seem too apologetic for the low blow, offering a cheeky grin as the Thunder batsman lay on the pitch in agony.

Lee quipped: “Watch the smirk though.”

Spencer just hit Alex Hales in the johnson #bbl13
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 27, 2023

Hales took a few minutes to compose himself and recovered to score 28 off 22 balls.

The Englishman was a good sport when asked by Fox Cricket how he was feeling after the painful blow.

“I reckon there was zero sympathy,” Hales said.

“Around the whole ground I could feel the laughter. It’s OK. I think I’ll find out in a couple of hours when I hit the showers.”

Alex Hales was in a bad way. Photo: Fox Cricket.

The Thunder were chasing a target of 173 after Brisbane’s Nathan McSweeney topscored with 73 off balls in a 100-run partnership with Josh Brown after Colin Munro departed for a golden duck.

The Heat were 20 runs short of expectations at 172 all out thanks to career-best T20 figures of 5/30 from Sydney Thunder’s left-arm quick Daniel Sams, who claimed four wickets in his last over.

It hinted at a Thunder win when openers Cam Bancroft (46) and Hales (28) made a flying start to 0-58 into the seventh over but Hales’ careless exit messed up the momentum.

The new-look Heat were clinical once they opened a wound with that first wicket and won by 15 runs with the Thunder reduced to 9/157. Confidence and not just being a bull-at-a-gate side are big steps this season.

Spinners Matthew Kuhnemann (2/25) and Mitch Swepson, with his miserly 1/29, turned the game in tandem with the ball and paceman Xavier Bartlett got the big wicket of Bancroft.