Nottinghamshire batter Alex Hales denies ‘racial connotations’ behind naming dog ‘Kevin’

"I categorically and absolutely deny there was any racial connotation in the naming of my dog."

Alex Hales has denied allegations that he named his own dog after a racial slur and said he will "co-operate with any investigation" following Azeem Rafiq's remarks on Tuesday. During a parliamentary appearance in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, Rafiq spoke about his experiences of racism and bullying during his two spells at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.  Rafiq told MPs that former team-mate Gary Ballance's use of the term 'Kevin' was used in derogatory manner, alleging it was used as a blanket term for all people of colour and that it was "an open secret in the England dressing room". He also claimed that Hales had named his dog Kevin because it was black, an allegation that the Nottinghamshire batter has since denied. "Having heard the allegations made against me, I categorically and absolutely deny there was any racial connotation in the naming of my dog," Hales said in a statement. "I entirely respect and have huge sympathy for both the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what he has had to endure. His evidence was harrowing. "There is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in cricket and I will gladly co-operate with any investigation the game's authorities choose to hold. "Neither I nor my representatives will be making any further comment on the matter." https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1460566133464047618 Nottinghamshire have stated that they have begun an "internal process" following Rafiq's allegations. "Following on from the testimony provided to the DCMS select committee regarding Alex Hales, we have commenced the appropriate internal process and will continue to liaise with Alex and his advisers accordingly," a Nottinghamshire statement read. As part of his appearance in front of the DCMS select committee, the 30-year-old said at least one person who had played for Nottinghamshire had since contacted him saying that they had endured racism during their time at the club. The club added: "We have always tried to create positive and fulfilling cricketing experiences for people from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, and we will continue to do so. "We acknowledge that, given the experiences recently being shared within the wider game, individuals may not have felt comfortable in voicing their concerns in the past.