Alex Hales has confirmed his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career in England colours that yielded 156 appearances, 5,066 runs and a World Cup win.
The Outlaws opener’s last appearance in England colours came in the 2022 T20 World Cup final, as England emerged triumphant over Pakistan to claim their third global ICC title.
Having been recalled to the Three Lions’ squad for the tournament, Hales was instrumental in his side’s success, hitting an unbeaten 86 from 47 deliveries to power past India in the semi-final.
The right-hander hit seven centuries in his country’s colours, including a then-record 171 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge and England’s first-ever ton in the T20 format.
He was part of the teams which twice broke the ODI world record, with that 171 helping England to a total of 444/3, before hitting 147 two summers later as Eoin Morgan’s men smashed 481/6 against Australia in Nottingham.
His stint in Test whites, meanwhile, brought five 50s in the space of 11 matches.
"It’s been a privilege to pull on the England shirt as many times as I have, across all formats," said Hales.
"So now to be able to reflect on that journey, the career I’ve had on the international stage and the moments I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, is really satisfying.
"There are so many memories that I have made both on and off the pitch, but I look back particularly to those two One Day International World Record scores at Trent Bridge, and being able to reach three figures in both of those games on my home ground was really special.
"And, clearly, to come away from my last tournament with England as a T20 World Cup winner is the perfect finish."
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