Alex Hales delighted 'tough winter' is over
Friday 10 March 2017 23:00, UK
Alex Hales admits he is delighted his “tough winter” is over after he scored a match-winning comeback century to secure a 3-0 series whitewash over West Indies.
Hales marked his return in style after breaking his hand on the New Year trip to India, smashing his fifth one-day international hundred as England thrashed West Indies by 186 runs to complete their first whitewash victory in the Caribbean.
England saved their most convincing performance until last, piling up 328 all out at the Kensington Oval in Barbados and then hustling their hosts out in under 40 overs to wrap up the series.
For Hales, it was a personal triumph to return with an innings of 101 as he and fellow centurion Joe Root set up an impressive total with a second-wicket stand of 192.
Not only had Hales missed England's previous six white-ball matches but he had played only two previous ODIs out of eight, having opted out of the series in Bangladesh because of security concerns.
In his absence, England employed James Vince and then Sam Billings at the top of the order as well as incumbent Jason Roy and Hales admits he took a risk when he stayed away from Bangladesh.
After restating his case so well, he is even hoping to reclaim his Test place, in the middle order rather than at the top, where he has won 11 caps.
"It's an incredible feeling," he said, reflecting on Thursday's 99-ball century.
"The last six months have been long and frustrating, so in my first game back it was great to go back out there and do that."
The 28-year-old was under no illusion that his patchy availability opened doors to alternative contenders.
"It was obviously my choice not to tour Bangladesh and gave the opportunity for other people to come in and do well," he added.
"That was a risk I knew I was taking, and the injury then came at a bad time for me.
"Sam came in and performed well. So for [the selectors] to stick with me was very pleasing, and I'm glad I've repaid that faith.
"I felt confident, but it was always going to be a risk me leaving a spot open by choosing not to tour.
"It made things worse that the injury then came in India. It's been a tough winter."
