England captain Morgan accuses Hales of ‘complete disregard’ after second failed drug test
Skipper Eoin Morgan was speaking for the first time since Hales was axed from England’s World Cup squad for taking drugs
EOIN MORGAN has slated Alex Hales, accusing him of “showing a complete disregard for team culture.”
Captain Morgan was speaking for the first time since Hales was axed from England’s World Cup squad for taking drugs.
Senior players Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes decided their team-mate had to go.
Until the story broke last Friday, the players knew nothing of Hales’ three-week ban for a second positive test for recreational drugs.
His absence was said to be for ‘personal reasons.’ Morgan revealed: “When the news broke, it left me to think about how it would affect the team and the culture, in particular.
“We’ve worked extremely hard on our culture in the 18 months since the Bristol incident. That opened our eyes to how we are role models.
“We’re establishing that culture and working to try to find values that everybody can adhere to.
“Alex’s actions have shown complete disregard for those values.
“This has created a lack of trust between Alex and the team. On Saturday, we got together as a group of senior players and all agreed the best decision was for Alex to be deselected.”
Hales, 30, has been a key part of England’s one-day revolution. But his involvement — along with Stokes — in the street fight in Bristol, plus stories about his private life and drugs have seen his standing rapidly diminish.
The Nottinghamshire batsman would still be part of the England squad though had details of his suspension not become public.
England director of cricket Ashley Giles said: “The effect of that breaking has led us to where we are.”
Jofra Archer, meanwhile, makes his England debut on Friday with team-mates now saying they are glad he is on board.
Sussex speedster Archer has been fast-tracked into the England team after he qualified in March.
Archer, who was born and raised in Barbados but has an English dad, had his qualification period slashed from seven years to three and appears a certainty for the World Cup.
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Fellow fast bowlers Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and David Willey all said it would be harsh on whoever is dumped to make way for of Archer.
However Morgan said: “It’s not an issue. There’s no malice towards anybody coming in.
“Part of what we do is creating a healthy environment that is extremely welcoming — and we’ve witnessed that with Jofra.
“He’s exciting. The skills he’s shown are good enough to play international cricket.”
Batsman Dawid Malan and keeper Ben Foakes also make their 50-over bows.
