Alex Hales avoids ICC punishment for wearing NatWest branded England jumper

England one-day opener Alex Hales has avoided punishment from after an unusual breach of the rules during his side’s Champions Trophy victory over New Zealand.

During ICC tournaments, rules state that teams’ clothing can only carry the logos of approved sponsors. England’s principal sponsor, NatWest, is not on the list.

In the windy conditions in Cardiff on Tuesday, Hales called for a sweater from the dressing room early in his innings. The one brought to him had NatWest logos emblazoned on it. Luckily for England, a team official soon spotted the mistake and 12th man Sam Billings hurried out with a replacement at the earliest opportunity.

The ICC have put their stamp on all venues at this tournament: at The Kia Oval, for example, labels have been used to cover sponsors’ logos on action photographs of Surrey players and - in theory - Hales could have been fined for his oversight, though this will not happen.

Hales is set to be in action again on Saturday when the hosts and Group A winners play Australia at Edgbaston. Defeat for Steve Smith’s side will see them exit the tournament.