Alex Hales says a return to the England side for their 50-over World Cup defence next year is unlikely.
The opener made a triumphant return to T20 international cricket this year after three-and-a-half years in the wilderness.
Having been given his chance because of injury to Jonny Bairstow, he was restored to the England side for the T20 World Cup.
He played a key role, most notably in the semi-final thrashing of India, as they won the title in Melbourne.
Hales had originally been stood down from international duty in the lead up to the 2019 World Cup after failing a second test for recreational drug use. England also went on to win that competition in his absence.
The next one-day international World Cup in due to take place in India next year.
Hales says his attention lies in T20 cricket, though, including at competitions such as the ILT20 in the UAE, where he will play for Desert Vipers.
“I think for the time being my focus lies purely on T20 cricket,” Hales said.
“It is a format where over the last three years, I have got better at a really quick rate. I think for the time being I am just going to focus on T20 cricket, and probably give [50-over cricket] some thought.
“I know there is a World Cup in India next summer, but for the moment my focus is on this tournament and the T20 franchise circuit. You have to see what the future holds, you just never know.”
After his outstanding innings against India in Adelaide earlier this month, Hales acknowledged playing in a World Cup was not something he thought he would get to do again.
Now he says he is still feeling the euphoria of England’s success.
“It is a special feeling, something I did not think I would get a chance to do again was playing the World Cup,” Hales said.
“I think I will be riding that wave for some time. It has definitely not sunk in yet. I hope I can carry that form into this tournament.”
England win T20 World Cup final
The Vipers are one of the six teams in the new T20 franchise league, which will launch its first season in Dubai in January.
Three of the sides – Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and MI Emirates - already have the benefit of associations with existing teams in the IPL.
That is not the same for the Vipers. However, their owners are not short of pedigree in sports administration, with Manchester United – for now, at least – also part of their portfolio.
Hales is confident the Vipers can make a success of their debut campaign in the competition.
“I think we can definitely win it,” Hales said. “It is a really strong squad, one of the best I have seen on the squad lists so far.
“If we can get enough guys on the squad in form, we should win.”
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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