Notts Outlaws batsman Alex Hales has been signed by Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad as a replacement for David Warner.

The Australian was set to captain the franchise, but resigned that position and was then banned by the BCCI from playing in the tournament for his part in the ball-tampering scandal that emerged in South Africa this week.

His absence has opened up a place in Sunrisers’ roster and they have chosen powerful right-handed batsman Hales to fill the void.

The 29-year-old has recently signed a two-year deal to play only white ball cricket for the Outlaws, but the agreement has a clause in it retaining his right to sign an IPL deal if offered one, either through the competition’s auction or as a replacement.

It means Hales will miss two Royal London One-Day Cup matches if the Sunrisers don’t reach the knock-out stages of the tournament – against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford and against Northamptonshire at Welbeck.

The tournament gets underway a week today, 7 April, while the Sunrisers’ first match will be against Rajasthan Royals on 9 April.

“Clearly, we would have loved Alex to be around for the whole of our 50-over campaign, but we still go into that competition with a very strong squad," Director of Cricket Mick Newell

“Although Alex missed out in the IPL auction, we knew there was a chance he could be signed up as a replacement, given his excellent record in the T20 Blast last summer and with England,” said Notts’ Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“Clearly, we would have loved Alex to be around for the whole of our 50-over campaign, but we still go into that competition with a very strong squad and his absence for a period opens up opportunities for others.”

The Sunrisers will now be captained by New Zealander Kane Williamson, while other teammates of Hales will include England’s Chris Jordan, Australia’s Billy Stanlake, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and the West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite.

Hales said: “I’m excited to be given this opportunity by the Sunrisers to play in arguably the biggest domestic tournament in the world.

“I wish to thank Notts for their support. While it’s disappointing to miss matches for Outlaws, when I return to England I will be match hardened and ready to give my all to their cause.”

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