On April 26, Nottinghamshire and England batsman Hales was suspended for 21 days after committing a recreational drug use infringement for the second time.

The 30-year old Hales was also sanctioned by the ECB in December 2018, when the board decided to ban him for six ODIs (four of them suspended) for his part in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September that year. He and Ben Stokes accepted the ECB’s charges of bringing the game into disrepute, although Stokes was cleared of affray at Bristol Crown Court, and Hales faced no criminal charges.

[caption id=”attachment_104597″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Hales featured in England’s recent ODI series draw in the West Indies[/caption]

Atherton cited the Bristol incident while offering his opinion on the topic. “With the situation he found himself in Bristol with Ben Stokes, he is on a suspended sentence for that issue, and all the players are on a red-light last warning from Trevor Bayliss after their conduct during that time (following Bristol) and post the fallout during the Ashes (in 2017 in Australia),” he told Sky Sports.

“My own view is quite an unsympathetic one. Although I am a generally sympathetic person and compassionate observer, on Alex Hales’ case, if what we read is true, then I am broadly unsympathetic because of the context of the situation.”

The ECB subjects all professional men’s cricketers to drugs tests at the start and conclusion of every season. The initial breach does not cause a suspension, and only the county medical officer is informed, while the player is offered rehabilitative treatment.

A second violation prompts a three-week ban and a fine equivalent to 5% of the player’s annual salary. A third violation is punished by a 12-month ban, and it allows both England and Nottinghamshire the chance to revoke Hales’ contract. Atherton spoke about the duty of care involved in these situations, before assessing how it would affect Hales’ World Cup chances.

[caption id=”attachment_104598″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Hales was banned for six ODIs in December for his involvement in the Bristol incident with Stokes[/caption]

“The ECB, his county, and Professional Cricketers Association have a duty of care and there is always sympathy for a player who has found himself in that situation,” he said. “That is a different situation to if he should be selected though.

“Whatever decision Ashley Giles and the selectors make, they will be absolutely fuming that this now is the story on the eve of the World Cup. They [the players] have been told in no uncertain terms that any further transgressions will be harshly dealt with, and in this circumstance, that is what I expect to happen.

“It is a judgement call, and I can easily see the other argument, which is that the 21-day ban, once you’ve undergone it that you are available for selection.”

The ECB are yet to comment on the story, but Hales is now set to miss at least the upcoming ODI against Ireland and the first four ODIs against Pakistan.