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The batsman has been stood down from Friday's one-off Twenty20 against Ireland, a T20 and ODI series against Pakistan and the World Cup.

"We have thought long and hard about this decision," said Ashley Giles, ECB managing director of England Cricket.

"We have worked hard to create the right environment around the England team and need to consider what is in the best interests of the team, to ensure they are free from any distractions and able to focus on being successful on the pitch.

"I want to make it clear this is not the end of Alex's career as an England player.

"The ECB and the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) will continue to aid Alex ... to give him the support he needs to help him fulfil his potential as a professional cricketer."

The incident in Bristol - his sanction was also because of some social media posts - led to Hales losing his place in England's first-choice ODI team.

Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy have been the preferred openers for 18 months, although Hales - with 2419 ODI runs at 37.79 and six centuries - had been viewed as an excellent back-up.

The ECB will name his replacement "in due course".

England face a monumental next few months. They are favourites to win their home World Cup, which begins on May 30 when they face South Africa, having risen to No.1 in the ICC's ODI rankings.