Shane Bond feels its time for ECB to get Hales back in the scheme of things

Former New Zealand speedster and currently the head coach of Sydney Thunder, Shane Bond is of the opinion that Alex Hales has been punished way too much after he tested positive for recreational drug use a couple of years ago. 

Hales was subsequently banned for 21 days and he was not even included in the 2019 World Cup squad despite being a prime contender. He also had to sit out for the T20I and ODI series against Ireland and Pakistan at home. The decision was taken to create the right environment for the English team. 

Bond came out in support of Hales and stated that the 32-year-old has matured into a really good man following his exclusion from the national squad. He further added that its time for ECB to move and consider him for selection especially given the form he has been in off late. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Big Bash League with 543 runs under his belt. 

"I just think that's really unfair because he's being punished for something that happened nearly three years ago," Bond was quoted as saying by Australia's Daily Telegraph.

"Lots of young men make mistakes but he's learnt from it and grown-up. He's matured and he's a really good man that is just being punished way too much."

Bond further reiterated the fact that its harsh on Hales as the board hasn’t contacted him since to know about his behaviour and other whereabout. Bond feels that its a failure of “due diligence”. 

"I've read a lot from the England camp about how it's about trust issues," Bond said. "Well, if that's the case, I want to know how they signed off on that because I'm still waiting for the phone call about how he's going over here.

"If you're going to make it about trust then you need to do your due diligence and see what's actually happening but he's been here for two seasons and no one's rung us from the ECB to ask how he's fitted in and what he's been doing," Bond said.

Hales has been in red hot form in the ongoing BBL and has been the backbone of the Sydney Thunder in the ongoing edition churning out runs for fun. Bond feels that Hales has matured enough and its time ECB calls him back and at least ask for his mental condition and behavioural changes. 

"How much longer will this go on because it's been nearly three years now," Bond said. "You've seen other incidents in the past where people have been forgiven and moved on so you've got to wonder if it's down to personality clashes rather than actually about trust or whatever it may be.

"What really disappoints me is that no-one from the ECB has given him any clarity about what he's meant to do and how he can rebuild that trust.

"He's been a great servant to England cricket and is too good a player not for someone to just have the courtesy of letting him know what he needs to do. What's been happening is really unfair," Bond concluded. 

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