Hales rues missed landmark as England win

Alex Hales admitted he was "devastated" at missing out on becoming the first England batsman to score a Twenty20 hundred, but said that he took some consolation from helping his team to a seven-wicket victory in the one-off contest against West Indies.

Hales, playing on his home ground at Trent Bridge, had put England on course with an impressive 99 from 68 balls, but with four runs needed for victory he was yorked by Ravi Rampaul and left the field shaking his head in disbelief.

"I am not going to lie - I'm devastated to miss out on a hundred," Hales said. "I am also disappointed not to see the team over the line, though I am happy the guys managed to do so at the end."

It was nevertheless a timely performance with the World Twenty20 looming in Sri Lanka in September, and coming in the wake of Kevin Pietersen's limited-overs retirement, it was especially encouraging for England's selectors.

"I am not resting on my laurels - I still have to put in the performances for Notts, and hope that I get a chance for England," he said. "I had to come out and do as well here as I have done for Notts. I back myself and hope it pays off. Today it did."

Hales' 99 beat Eoin Morgan's 85 not out against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2009 as England's best in the format. "I think I was as gutted as he was," said his captain, Stuart Broad.

"He got us so far, and the ball was there for him to clip to midwicket and celebrate. His home supporters were gutted as well, but I thoroughly enjoyed what was a fantastic Twenty20 knock."

Date: 24/06/2012 20:05:39 by AMiller
In: Today | England |