Alex Hales can’t wait to pull on an England shirt again after overcoming a shoulder injury to take his place in the Caribbean.
The 30-year-old’s Bangladesh Premier League campaign was cut short by the injury, but not before setting the tournament alight with a string of remarkable performances.
Hales posted two fifties and an explosive hundred during his eight-game stint with the Rangpur Riders who ultimately finished as beaten semi-finalists.
“I erred on the side of caution to come home and get the shoulder checked out,” he said.
“It’s the first time I have played in the competition and the standard was really good.
“Playing in those conditions in the subcontinent is always a challenge no matter what, but the standard was really good and it was great to play alongside some world-class players in de Villiers, Gayle and a couple of English guys as well.
“We got hundreds in different games, but AB and I put on a partnership of 180-odd in one of the games which was a great experience.”
Next step for the Outlaws right-hander is the West Indies, where England commence a five match One-Day International series on Wednesday 20 February.
Hales’ solitary 50-over appearance in the Carribean two years ago saw him strike a rapid century in Barbados – a match England won by a landslide 186 runs.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out to the Caribbean,” he said.
“It’s a great place to go and play cricket, especially with the one-day squad at the moment. “We’ve got guys who are in great form so it’s such a good team to be involved in.
“It’s a really good changing room. Some of the talent around is the best I have been involved with and it is a really healthy environment where guys are pushing each other to excel and get to the next level.
“I’m really looking forward to pulling that shirt back on.”
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