Forgotten man Alex Hales insists his England career is not over

Alex Hales, England's forgotten man, insists he still has an international future after producing a whirlwind 91 off 33 balls in the T20 Blast.

He smashed 12 fours and five sixes in Nottinghamshire's seven-wicket thrashing of neighbours Derbyshire.

It was a thrilling reminder of Hales' hard-hitting skills, four months before the T20 World Cup in Australia.

And asked after his breathtaking innings whether he still harboured hopes of an England white-ball recall, he said: 'It's always still there.'

He has not played for England for more than three years despite producing a number of devastating knocks during eight years with the national side.

He was the first England player to score an international T20 ton — clubbing 116 off Sri Lanka at the 2014 World T20. He hit six international one-day hundreds including 171 off 122 balls against Pakistan at his home ground Trent Bridge in 2016.

Hales, 33, has not played for England since failing a second test for use of a recreational drug before the 50-over World Cup in 2019 — which Eoin Morgan's men won.

But Hales hasn't given up hope, adding: 'I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm enjoying my cricket playing in different competitions around the world. I'm going to continue enjoying myself and if it [an England recall] comes at the end of the road, brilliant.'

More knocks like Friday night's will aid his cause.

Hales ignited after a flat start to the season.

'It has been a tough start for me,' he said. 'But it was coming on to the bat really well and I just cashed in in the powerplay and kept going.'