IPL 2021: Shane Bond backs Alex Hales to get a contract in the upcoming auction

Alex Hales has not played international cricket since April 2019, but he has been making all sorts of news with his exploits in the T20 leagues around the globe. In the recently concluded Big Bash League 2020-21, he ended as the leading run-getter while playing for Sydney Thunder. 

Now, Thunder’s head coach Shane Bond has backed Hales to get an Indian Premier League contract this time around. The 2021 auction will take place on February 18 in Chennai and Hales is one of the players who will go under the hammer. According to Bond, Hales has been batting better than ever. 

Interestingly, Bond is one of the important persons in the Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff. Bond admitted that BBL is a great place to make a mark and get into the IPL as the auction happens right after the Australian league. Interestingly, Hales was picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2015 but didn’t make an appearance. 

“He’s playing as well as I have ever seen him. We have a good team in Mumbai, but he’d give me a few shakes if we came up against him. It’s a great time to showcase your skills in the BBL (given the IPL auction is soon after). I always enjoy the auction; it can be a very exciting and life-changing night for a few people,” Bond said to cricket.com.au.

It can be completely random: Shane Bond on IPL Auctions

Hales scored 543 runs in the BBL 2020-21. He scored those runs at an average of 38.7 along with a strike rate in excess of 161. In addition to this, he also scored a century. His batting exploits were the building block for Thunder getting to the BBL finals and finishing fourth. 

While talking about the auction of the IPL, the former New Zealand pacer said that it is very random and anything can happen on the day. “It can be completely random (in terms of winning bids and who is sold and unsold). Nothing ever surprises me,” added Bond. 

If Hales were to be picked by Mumbai Indians, the franchise can add another overseas opener along with Quinton de Kock. Hales hasn’t played any form of international for nearly two years after he was found guilty of using recreational drugs.