Eoin Morgan opens up about Alex Hales’s chances of a comeback before T20 World Cup

England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan has opened up about a possible comeback for Alex Hales ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

On Thursday, Morgan insisted that Hales’s situation remains ‘unchanged’ but stopped just short of completely ruling his possibility of a comeback.

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Alex Hales was handed a 21-day ban for a positive recreational drug test in 2019 and has been out of England team ever since. Even after the ban period, Hales was overlooked for the 2019 World Cup, with Morgan citing ‘breakdown in trust’ as the reason.

The 32-year-old has continued to play in T20 leagues around the world but despite some brilliant comebacks, he received a cold shoulder from England selectors.

According to the Daily Mail, Eoin Morgan said that Alex Hales’s batting credentials were never doubted but it was “very difficult” to get back to the settled top-order of the national team.

“Only time will tell. You look at the strength of our squad at the moment and areas that we’re trying to improve – one area we don’t struggle for players, it’s probably in the top three. His position is still the same.

He’s not in the squad and the squad is very difficult to get back into. Alex’s situation is obviously very unique. The player that he is has never been in doubt. Obviously, time is a great healer,” said Eoin Morgan.

However, Eoin Morgan also suggested the possibility of calling Alex Hales back to take a hit in the nets.

“We learn more about players by bringing them into the nets. There is an opportunity this summer to bring him in,” said Eoin Morgan.