Soon after Adil Rashid said goodbye to red-ball cricket to focus entirely on the shorter formats of the game, so did Alex Hales, and since then, Colin Munro has done the same.
It’s something many people have feared might happen, with cricketers looking at the big money on offer in Twenty20 leagues in many parts of the world as a better way to earn a livelihood than by going four or five days without, perhaps, as much remuneration.
“The numbers are going up and up and increasing, and it shows that the England team is on the rise as well,” pointed out Hales. “It’s great, I think, because they show every game live in England, so more English guys and more fans are following the IPL back home, the coaches and the players are watching. I think it’s really good for T20 cricket on the whole.”
As for his targets at the IPL this time, Hales doesn’t want to commit to anything: “I’m not one to set myself goals. There are so many variables; someone from the opposition, one of the bowlers, has a really good day, and you don’t. Biggest thing for me is to be flexible, be proactive. I will just be trying to enjoy myself and backing my strengths.”
