Alex Hales has been handed a recall to the England squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Last Friday, the ECB announced the 15-man squad for the tournament, which starts next month, but were immediately forced to rethink their plans.
Key man Jonny Bairstow sustained what was described as a "freak injury" while playing golf on the morning of the announcement, resulting in his withdrawal from the group.
England had numerous ways in which they could deal with the development, including recalling Jason Roy who had lost his long-term spot at the top of the order due to his current form.
However, the ECB has instead opted to end Hales's exile from the international arena, one which had lasted since March 2019.
The Nottinghamshire batsman has not featured since testing positive for a recreational drug the following month, the 33-year-old being left to play for his county and T20 cricket around the world.
His latest outings have been for the Trent Rockets in the Hundred, producing five innings in excess of 38 from nine appearances as his side won the competition.
Hales will return to the T20 international stage with an average of 31.01 from 60 appearances, the big hitter producing eight half-centuries and one ton during that time.
England begin their preparations for the T20 World Cup with a seven-match tour of Pakistan later this month.
Darren Plant
