Hales misses out on West Indies tour

Having opted out of the tour of Bangladesh last year, Hales is now lacking game time in the 50-over format as plans begin to form for the Champions Trophy on home soil in June.

England ODI opener Alex Hales, who injured his hand during the second ODI against India in Cuttack.

Alex Hales will miss out on England's tour of West Indies for three one-day internationals, after breaking his hand in the recent series against India.

Opener Hales suffered the injury while fielding in the second ODI against India in Cuttack and was replaced at the top of the order by Sam Billings for the series closer and the three Twenty20 internationals against Virat Kohli's men.

Having opted out of the tour of Bangladesh last year, Hales is now lacking game time in the 50-over format as plans begin to form for the Champions Trophy on home soil in June.

National selector James Whitaker said: "There is a huge emphasis on white-ball cricket during the first half of 2017, as we continue our preparation ahead of this summer's ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.

"We felt it was important to keep faith with the squad that competed during the recent tour of India. 

"The current group of players are making excellent progress under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss and the tour of the Caribbean will enable the team to test themselves in different conditions against a competitive side in the West Indies."

England will play two warm-up matches in St. Kitts and Nevis before taking on the Windies in two matches in Antigua and a third at Barbados' Kensington Oval.