Former England cricketer Alex Hales has announced he is self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.

The ex-England batsman, who was excluded from the 2019 World Cup side after a drug-related controversy, returned from playing in the Pakistan Super League T20 competition where he had been playing for the Karachi Kings.

But following his symptoms for COVID-19, he said in a statement: "In light of the speculation and rumour that is currently circulating within the cricket world and on social media, I felt I needed to give a full explanation of my situation.

"Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home. 

"I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus.

"However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government's advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

"At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status."

As a direct result of Hales' condition, the PSL was today postponed without the semi-final games being played.

The two matches - Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars - will be rescheduled but no date has yet been agreed.