Tuesday 30 April 2019 09:01, UK
Michael Atherton has little sympathy for Alex Hales after he was reportedly banned for 21-days for a second recreational drug use infringement.
A spokesman for the England batsman confirmed on Friday that the 30-year-old is serving a suspension following an off-field incident not related to cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board are yet to comment and Atherton believes that Hales' latest off-field misdemeanour will incur harsh repercussions from managing director Ashely Giles.
"My own view is quite an unsympathetic one," Atherton told Sky Sports. "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.
"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).
"They 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.
"Many people are taking a more compassionate view then I am and I can see that point of view, it's just that I don't agree with it."
Atherton agreed that there was a duty of care to help support players, with reports suggesting Hales was struggling following the fallout of the incident in Bristol.
However, the former England captain feels ensuring Hales is given access to the necessary support is separate to the decision on whether he is selected in the World Cup squad.
"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.
"In terms of preparation, for three or four years now England have been perfect, with selection, the way they have played, matches they have won, being top of the rankings and going into the tournament justifiable favourites.
"Now suddenly on the eve of the tournament, everybody is talking about this situation. They will be fuming Hales has put them in this situation and with injury niggles and one or two players not in tip-top form, it just adds to the impression that the pitch-perfect preparation has gone off tone a little.
"It is quite early on Ashley Giles' watch and this is a tough decision for him to make."
