15 Facts about Alex Hales - England’s dashing opener

Alex Hales, the explosive right-handed opening batsman and a right-arm occasional medium pace bowler who plays for Nottinghamshire in county cricket, is also a regular in England’s T20I side. He made his ODI debut against India in August 2014 and his Test debut against South Africa in December 2015 in the ongoing series. The number 3 ranked T20I batsman in the world is a delight to watch when in full flow. For some time, he held the top spot as well in individual T20I rankings. He epitomizes the style of free-spirited cricket embraced by the younger generation of English cricketers. Here are some interesting facts about Alex Hales.

1. Birth:

Alex Hales was born on 3^rd January 1989 in London, England.

2. Sporting background:

Gary Hales, Alex’s father, broke several local batting records (including 321 not out for Gerrards Cross versus Chalfont St Peter in a limited overs league match in 1991) while his grandfather Dennis Hales was a talented tennis player who once forced the great Rod Laver to five sets at Wimbledon.

3. A failed attempt at Middlesex:

As a schoolboy, Alex was not an outstanding performer. Though, he played in age-group sides for Buckinghamshire he failed a trial with Middlesex. But his fearless attacking was evident even during his school days.

4. Selection as a fast bowler:

As a 16-year old in 2005 in a Cricket Idol T20 tournament at Lord’s he had been picked for his fast bowling ability, however, he hit 55 off a single over (three no-balls, eight sixes, one four) and made headlines.

5. Move to Nottinghamshire:

Hales first represented Buckinghamshire in Minor Counties cricket during the 2006 season. He then impressed whilst trialing with Nottinghamshire in 2007, scoring 218 in only his second appearance for the county, following it up with a hundred and two 95s. The county offered him a two-year contract until the end of the 2009 season. His consistent performances have made him a regular member of the Notts outfit.

6. Representing England:

Hales represented England U19s in 2008 in a series of youth Test matches and ODIs against a touring New Zealand U19’s. He batted well averaging 50 in the Tests and over 30 in the ODIs, including 3 half centuries. After just one season in county cricket, he was named in an England Performance Programme squad in 2009-10. In 2011, he was selected for the England Lions against Sri Lanka and was chosen for all the matches.

7. Forgettable T20I debut:

Following an impressive year in domestic Twenty20, he was selected for the senior national team to play India. He scored a two-ball duck on debut however in the following series against the West Indies, he scored an unbeaten 62 as England won by 10 wickets. Hales kept his place in the side for the T20I match against India, but only scored 11 runs of 19 balls.

8. Out on 99:

On 24 June 2012, England achieved their highest successful chase in Twenty20 internationals. Hales was awarded the man of the match award after scoring 99 before losing his wicket to a yorker bowled by Ravi Rampaul with the game almost won.

9. World T20, 2014:

England was drawn in a tough group for the 2014 World T20. Hales made a second-ball duck in the first match against New Zealand but followed this up by an unbeaten 116 against Sri Lanka. In doing so, he became the first Englishman to score a T20I ton, however, although Hales made 38 against South Africa, England lost and got knocked out of the competition.

10. ODI debut:

Hales made his long-awaited ODI debut in the 2014 home series against India. He made 42 and 40 in his first two games although England went on to lose them both. In the final two games of the series, he could only manage scores of 6 and 4 as England lost the series 3-1.

11. Dropped against Sri Lanka:

He was selected in the squad for the series against Sri Lanka but was surprisingly dropped for the first two matches. He made 27 when he was recalled for the third ODI, however, batted in the middle order. In the fourth ODI, he replaced suspended captain Alistair Cook at the top of the order but was dismissed for a golden duck. He made seven in the final match of the series.

12. World Cup:

Hales was overlooked for the start of England’s 2015 World Cup campaign and did not play until the must-win game against Bangladesh. He made 27 as England lost the game and went out of the tournament. In the final game against Afghanistan, he made 37 as England won the match by nine wickets.

13. First ODI ton:

Hales became a regular member of the ODI side after the World Cup. He played against New Zealand and Australia in the home series. His performances against the Kiwis were good however he failed miserable in the series against the Aussies. He still got a chance to travel to the UAE. He scored his maiden ODI ton against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. His 109 earned him the man of the match award as England won by 95 runs.

14. Test debut:

He made his Test debut in the current series against South Africa at Durban. He scored 10 and 26 in the two innings however England won the Test by 241 runs and he kept his place in the team. In the first innings of the second Test at Cape Town, he scored his first Test fifty. His 60 off 140 balls gave England a solid start in this ongoing Test.

15. Limited-overs stats:

Hales has played 24 ODIs and scored 579 runs at an average of 25.17 including 1 ton and 2 fifties. He has played 37 T20Is and scored 1111 runs at an average of 34.71 including 1 hundred and 7 fifties.