Alex Hales out of IPL 2022 – KKR name replacement
English top order batsman Alex Hales pulled himself out of IPL 2022 citing concerns regarding extended stay in restrictive bio bubbles. Previously another English opener Jason Roy ruled himself out of Gujarat Titans squad citing bubble fatigue.
Kolkata Knight Riders announced Aaron Finch will replace Alex Hales for the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League.
Earlier Hales posted his statement on social media citing his reasons to quit IPL.
“Having spent the last four months away from home in restrictive bio bubbles and having tested positive for COVID myself in Australia, I don’t feel as though I can commit myself to another extended period within a secure environment,” Hales said in a statement on Twitter. “I wouldn’t be fair on the team or myself if I wasn’t able to perform to the level expected of me as a result of ongoing bubble fatigue.””I am truly gutted to have to turn down one of the best opportunities of my career due to the toll that the last two years of bubble life has taken on my mental well-being. I’ll now take some time to rest and recharge ahead of the summer.
“I want to thank KKR for believing in me during the auction and for their ongoing support in recent weeks. I wish Baz [Brendon McCullum], Shreyas [Iyer] and the team the best of luck for the tournament and hope to see the Knight Riders fans at some point in the future,” added Hales.
The English batsman featured in 6 IPL matches and scored 148 runs. Meanwhile Aaron Finch is a IPL veteran. Finch played for 8 IPL teams before walking in to KKR as Alex Hales replacement. The Aussie cricketer represented Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Indian Premier League.
Finch scored 2005 runs in 87 matches and picked 1 wicket during his span from 2010 to 2020. He found no takers in IPL mega auction held in February 2022. He last featured in a IPL match in 2020 where he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He only managed to score 268 runs in 12 innings at an average of 22.33 powered by a mediocre strike rate of 111.20.
The following year Finch led Australia to T20 World Cup triumph and had a decent Big Bash League season scoring 386 runs in 10 innings at an average of 38.60 powered by a strike rate of 130.40.
Kolkata Knight Riders finished runners-up in 2021 edition. They will face defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener on March 26 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
