Agence France-Presse
Nottingham, August 31: Alex Hales’s (171,122b, 22×4, 4×6) stunning century provided the platform for England to post the highest ever ODI total of 444 for three as they beat Pakistan by 169 runs at Trent Bridge.
Victory in this D/N clash gave England an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series after Pakistan were dismissed for 275 with 44 balls to spare.
England’s total surpassed the previous record of 443 for nine by Sri Lanka against the Netherlands at Amstelveen in 2006. It was also the highest ODI total in a match between two Test nations, topping South Africa’s 439 for two against the West Indies at Johannesburg last year.
In a match of records, opener Hales’s innings on his Nottinghamshire home ground was the highest ever-individual ODI score by any England batsman and together with Joe Root (85, 86b, 8×4) he put on 248 for the second wicket.
Both batsmen fell in quick succession to leave England 283 for three in 38 overs. But an unbroken stand of 161 in 76 balls between Jos Buttler (90 n o, 51b, 7×4, 7×6) and captain Eoin Morgan (57 n o, 27b, 3×4, 5×6) ensured the runs just kept coming.
Pakistan’s reply saw Sharjeel Khan make a quickfire 58 (30b, 12×4, 1×6) but the rest disappointed.