Alex Hales, first England cricketer to slam T20I century, retires from international cricket

England top-order batter Alex Hales on Friday (August 4) announced his retirement from international cricket. The 34-year-old right-handed batter from Nottinghamshire has decided to draw curtains on his 12-year-old international career.

Hales - who was the first English cricketer to slam a T20I century - has represented the national side in 156 games. He was also part of England's 2022 T20 World Cup-winning side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) under the leadership of Jos Buttler.

Alex Hales reacts to his international retirement

Looking back at his career, Hales said, "It has been an absolute privilege to have represented my country on 156 occasions across all three formats. I've made some memories and some friendships to last a lifetime and I feel that now is the right time to move on.

"Throughout my time in an England shirt I've experienced some of the highest highs as well as some of the lowest lows. It's been an incredible journey and I feel very content that my last game for England was winning a World Cup final."

Alex Hales International Career

While he wasn't in the reckoning for the national ODI team, Hales could have been a part of the English side as they will look to defend their title in the T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and the USA. He last played an ODI game four years back.

Hales has been in and out of the national white-ball side due to his freelance commitments or some controversies. He recently told Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, that he was contemplating international retirement, and confirmed that decision last evening.

He played 11 Tests and scored 573 runs, with 94 being the highest. He featured in 70 ODIs for England - the reigning world champions. The explosive batter also played 75 T20Is and amassed 2074 runs, with 116* being the highest.

He made a return to the T20I side after a three-year exile just before the T20 World Cup in Australia as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow played 15 T20Is across tours to Pakistan, Australia and the WC.