England vs Pakistan: Alex Hales hits 171 as hosts set new ODI record

On song: Alex Hales
Stu Forster/Getty Images
By Tom Collomosse30 August 2016

Alex Hales posted the highest one-day international score by an England batsman as the team broke the world record in this format on a remarkable day at Trent Bridge.

Hales has struggled in Test cricket this summer, failing to make a century in seven matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but he put those difficulties behind him to inspire England to 444 for three – the best total in the history of 50-over cricket.

With England leading the five-match series 2-0, Hales quickly launched into the untidy Pakistan bowling. He was eventually out for 171 – one ball after he had broken Robin Smith’s 23-year-old record – compiled from 122 deliveries, including 22 fours and four sixes.

Hales’ effort was supported by Joe Root, who made 85 from 86 deliveries, and Jos Buttler, who made 90 from 51 balls. Buttler reached 50 from just 22 deliveries – the quickest by an England player – after taking 25 from a single over from Shoaib Malik, including four sixes. Eoin Morgan bludgeoned 57 not out from 27.

Hales had substantial luck in his innings but he will argue he deserved it. He might have sensed it would be his day, indeed, when his first runs – a four through the covers – were aided by some dreadful fielding. It set the tone, as Pakistan were a rabble throughout the England innings.

When he had made 59, Hales breathed a sigh of relief after a top-edge fell between three fielders close to third man. On 72, Hales drilled the ball into the hands of deep backward square-leg – only to be reprieved because Wahab Riaz had bowled a no-ball.

The century was celebrated extravagantly, as Hales bellowed his celebration and raced halfway back to the pavilion. The 150 mark came and went and when he was eventually out, lbw to Hasan Ali, he appeared on target for a double-hundred.

Root fell soon afterwards, caught behind off the left-arm spin of Mohammad Nawaz, but this was his fifth half-century in succession in the 50-over game.

Eoin Morgan – who claimed a 24-ball fifty – and Buttler soon regained the initiative, with the latter’s innings containing seven sixes and seven fours.

The pair added 161 from only 12 overs for the fourth wicket as England sailed past the record, leaving Pakistan needing an improbable 445 for victory.

It was miserable for Pakistan. Like Hales, Buttler was given a life when Wahab overstepped again, this time when the batsman had 75. Wahab conceded 110 runs from his 10 overs, the second-most expensive figures in one-day history.

The team record arrived from the final delivery when Buttler pounded a four off Hasan Ali over extra-cover, to loud cheers.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in