England’s batsman Alex Hales, who is currently representing the Sydney Thunders franchise in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), has claimed that the late Dean Jones’ energy, passion and assertiveness was great for local players in Pakistan cricket according to an interview published in smh.com.au on Friday.
The 31-year-old is set to feature in the Thunders’ line-up that will face Melbourne Stars on Saturday.
Hales had been coached by Dean Jones in the Islamabad United franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before both were drafted to the Karachi Kings franchise, which recently won the PSL season 5.
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Jones passed away due to a heart attack in September at the age of 59.
“Deano was so adamant about people expressing themselves on the field and having fun,” Hales told the Herald. “He was really good at making guys relax and enjoy their cricket. He was brilliant at getting the best out of people.”
“He was fantastic for the local guys - the energy and passion and assertiveness he had was great for the local Pakistani players. He's such a sore loss for the world of cricket,” he added.
“As an overseas player, you want to bring some experience and a smile and that relaxed attitude because you play your best cricket when you relax and enjoy yourself,” he further stated. “That's something I definitely picked up from Deano - to play with a smile on your face and try to be aggressive. He was always big on, ‘If you're in any doubt, try to be aggressive', and that's what I try to do as well.”
Hales termed the break in cricket, sparked by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as a welcome gap from an excruciating calendar of non-stop cricket.
“I reckon it could have added another year on to the career,” he said. “The last ten years I don't think I've had more than two or three weeks off in the one block. Physically and mentally it's almost made me as fresh as I've ever been.”
“Once the games come thick and fast and the training becomes intense and the workloads pick up, I should be ready to take it all on with a full tank,” he concluded.