Alex Hales opens up on playing T20 cricket post retirement

Former England opening batter Alex Hales announced his surprise retirement from international cricket early this week. He last played for the Three Lions in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022. England won the game against Pakistan. Since then, Hales didn't don the England shirt. The right-hander pulled out of the Bangladesh series early this year. Apart from this, the South African was never in contention for the ODI team.

Ever since a banned substance was found in his blood sample in 2019, the Nottingham Outlaws player didn't play for England in the 50-over format. This happened one month before ODI World Cup that was won by England. Meanwhile, after retirement, the former Mumbai Indians player has talked out playing franchise cricket around the globe

"Sometimes T20s have that label of being the easy way out and an easy life… When you're playing in these tournaments, you are an overseas player. You're expected to score runs, to perform in foreign conditions. And if you don't, there's a big queue of players looking to do it."

It's rare to bow out at the top on your terms: Alex Hales

The Islamabad United player added that winning the T20 World Cup 2022 final was the highest of highs. He also mentioned that he never thought that he would make a comeback after the 2019 incident. However, Jonny Bairstow's injury and Jason Roy's poor form helped Alex's cause last year.

"Winning a World Cup final is the highest of highs for me," he said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "To get to do that after I thought I would never get that chance, after what happened in 2019… it's rare as a sportsman to get to bow out at the top and on your own terms.

"Being in my mid-30s now, without a central contract, it becomes difficult to play bilateral series… missing out on the franchise gigs, it becomes a financially tougher decision, the older you get. When you're in the twilight like I am now… it just feels like the right time."