Alex Hales is all set to join his former England coach Trevor Bayliss at Sydney Thunder after signing the club for an 11th season of the competition. Bayliss was revealed earlier this year in June as the Thunder’s new coach for the next three seasons.
Alex Hales Ignored by National Selectors:
Alex Hales was ignored by the national selectors. Because he failed two recreational drug tests shortly before the 2019 home World Cup. Which England won. However, Bayliss retired from his role after the Ashes that year. The relegation continued until earlier this year when he was not picked in a completely new form two days before the white-ball series against Pakistan, even in the event of a COVID-19 emergency among the original squad.
In the Thunder, meanwhile, Alex Hales has scored 576 and 543 runs in the last two seasons respectively. In which 110 runs were included in the 2020-21 campaign. Where the Thunder were eliminated in the knockout finals. Recently, Hales had an impressive T20 blast season in Nottinghamshire. In which he had a total of 482 runs at 43.81 and a strike-rate of 178.51.
Alex Hales Said the Culture of the Sydney Thunder is Something Special:
Hales said that “the culture of Sydney Thunder on and off the field is something special. And I’m excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it again.” “In the last two seasons I’ve seen for the first time how this franchise is putting together a squad that believes they can win the BBL. And this summer more than ever.”
With this, 14 players have joined the Thunder. And there are at least one more overseas signing to announce before the season begins on December 5. They are also due to name a new captain after Callum Ferguson’s departure. For which Usman Khawaja is a strong contender.
Upon Arrival in Australia, Foreign Players Undergo Two Weeks of Tough Quarantine:
Foreign players have to undergo a tough two-week quarantine upon arrival in Australia due to the COVID-19 border restrictions.
Sydney Thunder Squad: Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales (Eng), Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
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