Alex Hales could make England return this summer

NICK HOWSON: Chief selector Ed Smith says the Notts batsman could be offered to join a training group later in the year

Ed Smith: "Selection principles have to flex given the circumstances"

Alex Hales recall hopes fade as Eoin Morgan urges caution

England are preparing to reintegrate Alex Hales this summer in what would be more than two years after his last international appearance.

The 32-year-old has not played for his country since March 2019 after what Eoin Morgan called a "breakdown of trust" between himself and his fellow players.

Hales was de-selected from the preliminary 2019 World Cup squad after being suspended for a reported second breach of the ECB's recreational drugs policy, which the skipper felt could have compromised the victorious campaign.

Morgan has resisted from reconsidering Hales, but it now appears a U-turn is in the offing after his latest exploits for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.

He finished as the leading run-scorer in the competition (543 at a strike-rate of 161.60). In 2020, only Babar Azam and Marcus Stoinis hit more runs in all T20 cricket and he currently sits 41st in the Player Index.

With Morgan having accepted he will be without a first-choice squad this summer due to the demands on players, it opens the door to those on the peripheral. And with a T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, now might be the perfect time to extend an olive branch to the Notts Outlaws man.

"Maybe in the English summer - we're always looking at ways to consider getting players who are not currently in the actual squad to come along to training days perhaps in the run-up to series," chief selector Ed Smith said of Hales, upon the announcement of England's 16-man squad for the five India T20s. 

^{James Vince and Liam Livingstone both starred in the BBL}

"We might look at something like that in the summer. We're very aware of what players do in franchise cricket around the world. That is something we'll discuss moving forward and what is best for English cricket.

"It is coming up for two years this summer (since Hales was exiled). In the summer we'll look at inviting some people who might come into training in the run-up to series as we look to always extend and expand our squad with players and the relationships within in them."

Like Hales, James Vince has also been overlooked for a recall despite an impressive BBL showing for eventual champions Sydney Sixers. The Hampshire man was only second to his fellow-countryman in the run-scoring rankings after man-of-the-match displays in the Qualifier and final.

There was better news for Liam Livingstone, who is recalled after a fine campaign in Australia, during which he struck 426 runs and claimed five wickets.

"It is certainly true that James had a good Big Bash and that was noted," added Smith. "Everything is discussed, we're across every franchise tournament and every cricket match that is played in the world. 

"In this particular instance, Liam brings some other things too in terms of his bowling. 

"In terms of getting into squads for major tournaments where space is limited sometimes having those extra strings to your bow is a route into the squad. 

"It is an exciting time for Liam, he had a really good Big Bash, he is a dynamic cricketer, good fielder, bowler and exciting batsman and it is an opportunity for him."