Alex Hales would still be part of England’s World Cup squad if a news report had not revealed he had been suspended for recreational drug use, director of cricket Ashley Giles has said. Hales was withdrawn from England’s preliminary squad on Monday to avoid “unnecessary distractions” ahead of the tournament after the Guardian newspaper reported he was serving a three-week ban for drug use.
“The effect of that breaking has led us to where we are. If anyone thinks that is right or wrong, it is the way it had to be,” Giles told the BBC.
Days after his selection for the World Cup, Nottinghamshire batsman Hales took an indefinite break from the game due to “personal reasons”.
“When the team was selected, myself and chief executive Tom Harrison were aware of a situation, but were bound by a duty of confidentiality,” former left-arm spinner Giles added.
“We were unable to share that with any of the key people in that environment.”
England captain Eoin Morgan said on Thursday that Hales’ actions showed a “complete disregard” for the values his team had built in recent years.
