England batsman Alex Hales banned for recreational drug use

TIL Desk Sports/ England batsman Alex Hales has been banned for three weeks from cricket for recreational drug use. Earlier this month, it was announced that Hales had “made himself unavailable for selection for personal reasons”, stepping away from both Nottinghamshire and England selection as the new season got underway.

However, The reports that he is currently serving a 21-day 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. While the exact date of the notice handed to Hales is unknown, it is believed he will have served his 21-day ban before England’s ODI against Ireland on May 3.

No official statement has been issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding this matter. At the start of every season, all professional male cricketers under the ECB’s jurisdiction, along with centrally contracted female players, are subject to hair follicle testing. The testing of hair follicles means banned substances can be detected up to three months after their consumption.