Melbourne, Jan 8 : English cricketer Alex Hales has replaced West Indian Marlon Samuels in the Melbourne Renegades squad.

Samuels has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, and the Twenty20 Big Bash League technical committee approved the change Tuesday.

Hales, 24, has been a regular member of the England T20 International squad over the past 18 months which included the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and recent tour of India. He averages 34.83 at a strike rate of 127.43 in 14 T20Is.

Hales will join the Renegades squad in Sydney in time for their last round match against the Sydney Sixers Wednesday night. (IANS)