England star Alex Hales is hopeful of playing in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket despite growing concerns over the approval of NOC from the England Cricket Board. Earlier, Alex Hales opted to play Pakistan Super League over playing for England in the Bangladesh series. The inaugural edition of the competition is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 20 in Dallas, United States.
According to reports in ESPNcricinfo, Alex Hales has been in talks with MLC franchises over his participation in the league, but the franchise is worried over his availability as the new league will be held during the England summer. It will be interesting to whether the England opener gets the opportunity to play the first edition of Major League Cricket.
Some of the big names who will be featuring in the MLC are former Australia skipper Aaron Finch, Australian allrounder Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stonis, and South Africa stars Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje. Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga will also play in the MLC this year.
A total of six teams will be participating in the competition with a few teams being owned by some Indian Premier League franchises. The six teams are – MI New York, DC Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Los Angeles Knight Riders, and Texas Franchise.
Alex Hales Will Be In The Mix For ODI World Cup 2023 – Matthew Motts
Alex Hales played a vital role in England’s World Cup Victory in 2022 but has remained out of the team after the world cup opting to play franchise cricket playing in ILT20 for Desert Vipers and then Pakistan Super League for Islamabad United. Earlier during the Bangladesh team, England head coach Matthew Mott said Alex hales is very much in the plan for the ODI World Cup in India.
“We certainly spoke to him about it, particularly when he had such a good Twenty20 World Cup, and that door is still open,” he added.
Matthew Mott further insisted that the players who are in good form will be in the mix and also added Alex Hales would be a good option to play in sub-continental conditions
“Anyone who’s playing white-ball cricket well as in the form at the right time, and is someone we think can be good in subcontinental conditions will be in the mix. He’s a proper cricketer and there’s no reason why he couldn’t get in that 50-over team,” Matthew Motts said.
It will interesting to see whether Alex Hales will take up the opportunity to play in the ODI world cup as England has a host of openers in their line up Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, and Phil Salt in their team.