Hales in IPL talks

14 May 2015 03:17

Alex Hales will miss a maximum of two matches if he secures a short-term deal for the remainder of Mumbai Indians' Indian Premier League campaign.

Big-hitting Hales, who has a clause in his Nottinghamshire contract which allows him to accept an IPL offer, will be at Trent Bridge on Friday for the Outlaws' first NatWest Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears.

The Indians, in action on Thursday at home to Kolkata Knight Riders, are battling to reach the IPL knockout stages.

Should the England limited-overs batsman join up, it will initially be for Mumbai's remaining group match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 17.

Even if they do then qualify for the last four, the IPL culminates with a final a week later on May 24.

Hales, who had an outside chance on Thursday of being named in England's Test squad to face New Zealand but lost out to Adam Lyth, could therefore be absent only for Nottinghamshire's Blast match at home to Yorkshire on May 22 and the four-day Division One meeting with Somerset.

A statement on his county's website confirmed the 26-year-old's possible plans.

It read: "Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales is in negotiations over a prospective short-term stint with IPL franchise the Mumbai Indians.

"A deal has not yet been signed, and Hales will be available for selection for the NatWest T20 Blast opener against Birmingham Bears tomorrow."

Source: PA