Alex Hales: England cricketer ‘serving 21-day ban for second failed drugs test’

Hales announced earlier this month that he was stepping away from cricket ‘for personal reasons’

England cricketer Alex Hales is serving a 21-day ban after failing a second recreational drugs test, it has been reported.

Hales announced earlier this month that he had “made himself unavailable for selection for personal reasons”, stepping away from both Nottinghamshire and England selection as the new season got underway.

But The Guardian reports on Friday that Hales is serving a three-week ban after failing a second drugs test of his career, which has also resulted in him being fined five per cent of his annual salary. His club have been informed of the test result, along with the ECBs director of cricket Ashley Giles.

Hales’ representative has declined to comment on the reports, while an ECB spokesman added: “We can’t comment on this matter.”

The identity of players who fail a recreational drugs test for the first time remain anonymous as the matter is handled by the ECB privately alongside the Professional Crickets’ Association, who provide rehabilitative support.

But a second failure triggers a three-week ban and fine and results in both a player’s club being informed and the ECB director of cricket Giles, who had a major say on national team selection alongside captain Joe Root and head coach Trevor Bayliss.

A third test failure would result in a 12-month fine, something that also opens up avenues to contracts with club and country being terminated.

Alex Hales is reportedly serving a 21-day ban after failing a second drugs test (Getty)

The 21-day ban is triggered upon a player receiving written notice of the drugs test failure, though in Hales’ case it is not known specifically when the suspension was activated. However, it’s understood that he will be available again by the time of England’s first match of the summer on 3 May in the One-Day International against Ireland.