Alex Hales: “I’m excited to be given this opportunity by the Sunrisers to play in arguably the biggest domestic tournament in the world”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England batsman Alex Hales has admitted that he is excited about the upcoming Indian Premier League, and grateful for the fact that he will get to represent the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament.

Hales was selected as Australia opener David Warner’s replacement after the latter was barred from featuring in the competition due to his involvement in the ball tampering scandal. Warner also stepped down as the franchise’s captain.

Hales also expressed his gratitude to Nottinghamshire for allowing him to feature in the IPL, even though it will cause him to miss a number of county matches.

“I’m excited to be given this opportunity by the Sunrisers to play in arguably the biggest domestic tournament in the world,” Hales was quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post. “I wish to thank Notts for their support. While it’s disappointing to miss matches for Outlaws, when I return to England I will be match hardened and ready to give my all to their cause.”

Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, Mick Newell, said: “Although Alex missed out in the IPL auction, we knew there was a chance he could be signed up as a replacement, given his excellent record in the T20 Blast last summer and with England.

“Clearly, we would have loved Alex to be around for the whole of our 50-over campaign, but we still go into that competition with a very strong squad and his absence for a period opens up opportunities for others.”

The Sunrisers will kick off their IPL campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on April 9.