England secured the ODI series by thrashing Pakistan a third time and breaking countless records along the way on Tuesday. They amassed 444 for three from their 50 overs, the highest total in the history of ODI cricket, and Alex Hales posted the highest score by an Englishman in this format, 171, which overtook the record set by Robin Smith 23 years ago in a losing cause against Australia at Edgbaston. Here Pakistan were defeated by 169 runs.
The opener broke the record at his home ground after a season of frustration especially against the bowlers of Pakistan. “This would be my ground of choice to do it,” he said. “It was a special feeling.
“It has been a tough few weeks. The Test series did not go to plan but I was always confident I could get a big score.”
It is debatable whether these runs will have a significant impact on his chances of retaining his Test place for the tours to Bangladesh and India, the squads for which will be announced soon after the international season is over. “I’m not sure if that is the case,” he said. “Runs against a white ball won’t do me any harm. But they are different games. It took me about 20 matches in ODI cricket to nail it, so I hope they keep going with me in Test cricket.”
This assumes that Hales will make himself available for the tour to Bangladesh. So far Alastair Cook is the only player who has confirmed his availability. The rest remain cagey. “It is a tricky decision,” said Hales. “We have had to shut it out of our minds during training and matches and that hasn’t been easy.”
Nor was it easy for the Pakistan bowlers against an irrepressible upper order. “We haven’t reached our peak yet,” said Hales. “There are still a lot of guys in their mid‑20s who can get better.”
There is little time for the Pakistan bowlers to lick their wounds. The next game is at Headingley on Thursday and ona sunny day it would be a brave captain who puts this England side into bat. As Azhar Ali concluded: “444 was a bit too much.”
